The patient room should provide a comfortable place to heal while balancing infection control and safety. The built environment can achieve both goals using the following guidelines.
Controllable, multi-function over bed lighting provides ambient, exam, and reading light levels.
The patient room TV can be used for both education and entertainment. With family members temporarily no longer allowed in patient units, it can also be used to video conference family members.
Access to natural light and outdoor views are proven to improve healing times.
Easy access to power and/or USB allows patients the ability to charge their devices and stay connected to family members not present.
Opportunities for patients and family members to personalize the room can include a designated shelf for flowers, cards, and pictures.
Sheet vinyl with heat welded seams and integral base are sometimes reserved for higher acuity rooms such as ICU, Isolation, and NICU. As healthcare design changes over the next few months, we may see more patient rooms with sheet vinyl to increase flexibility.
Solid surface countertops with integral solid surface bowl sinks create a monolithic seamless surface that is easy to clean.
Floating counters and casework minimize hard to reach places and allow for rooms to be disinfected quickly and efficiently.
Encourage good hand hygiene practices by placing the sink next to the door and illuminating with proper light level.
Cubicle curtains are no longer a standard in patient rooms. If desired, reusable cubicle curtains can be an alternative to reduce the spread of bacteria.