|
Why? The answer is simple; supply and demand.
When you consider the bulk of our society is aging, it stands to reason the need for health services will increase. One company, Priestmangoode, has made an impressive design for what they are calling the ‘recovery lounge’.
Personally, I have been in a number of ‘recovery rooms’ at various hospitals following surgeries, and I am happy to say that I do not remember anything about the room designs. Between being heavily medicated and starting to feel physical pain the room décor was the last thing on my mind.
That’s not to say it did not matter, but fortunately I felt confident that the standard of care in Canada is such that I knew the environment I would be placed in for observation, post surgery was designed to ensure I would be free from the threat of infection. Beyond that, I tend to think of the recovery room as a holding zone where physical vital signs are monitored.
However, I must say the merits of Priestmangoode’s design are impressive. They have taken many important elements into consideration that ultimately will be beneficial for both the patient and hospital staff. 10 specific features are built within an overall design that can be compared to a combination of a 5 star hotel and a commuter airplane. The patient is provided a comfortable and safe holding zone and staff can manage coordinating care in a manner that allows for a quick turn around time. Thereby maximizing health care service abilities, and similar to today’s airlines ...only light beverages will be served.
Here are the top 10 priorities:
1. Nothing touches the floor –furniture floats above the floor for easy cleaning.
2. Privacy in every space, for every patient –like first class plane seating.
3. Cheap doesn’t mean poor quality –like modular, low-cost hotel rooms.
4. Speed –fast turnaround times like airplanes coming in and out of gates
5. Better information systems to reassure patients and families –like the way-finding system in newer terminals.
6. Reduce the amount of work for people in the system –like the focus on making things easy for airline cabin crews
7. Smarter, more functional use of space –like hotel/airline central columns that contain electricity, water pipes, Internet/phone cables, desk, mirror, sink
8. At home in hospital –pay as you go entertainment (TV, music, computers)
9. Greater attention to aesthetics.
10. The Priestmangoode Recovery Lounge –assembling pieces together into a new ‘lounge’ concept.
Wow, too bad patients would be awake enough to enjoy it.