Healthcare Facility Design Principles Flashcards

Which room configuration is most strongly supported by EBD evidence for reducing patient falls?

Answer: Acuity-adaptable single-patient rooms with bathroom near the bed

Single-patient acuity-adaptable rooms with bathrooms positioned near the bed reduce the distance patients must travel, lowering fall risk.

What is the primary EBD rationale for decentralized nursing stations?

Answer: They reduce nurse walking distance and increase time at the bedside

Decentralized nursing stations place nurses closer to patient rooms, reducing travel time and increasing direct patient care time.

In evidence-based design, 'wayfinding' primarily addresses:

Answer: How patients, visitors, and staff navigate through a healthcare facility

Wayfinding encompasses all environmental cues — signage, landmarks, layout — that help people orient and navigate a healthcare facility.

Which design feature is most supported by evidence for reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Answer: Hands-free handwashing sinks at the point of care

Placing hands-free sinks at the point of care increases hand hygiene compliance, which is the most effective method of reducing HAIs.

What does 'patient-centered care' mean in the context of EBD facility design?

Answer: Design decisions are driven by patient needs, preferences, and outcomes

Patient-centered design prioritizes the patient's physical, emotional, and social needs as the primary driver of all design decisions.

Which ceiling height and layout feature is most associated with reduced feelings of patient anxiety in evidence-based design?

Answer: Higher ceilings with access to natural light and views of nature

Higher ceilings combined with natural light and nature views reduce perceived crowding and anxiety in healthcare patients.