Many studies have explored and found that patients in a medical environment are impacted by the design of their surroundings. How a healthcare facility is being designed can make a difference to patients' healing and accelerate their rate of recovery for example. A well-designed facility can also boost its image and positioning as well as help to enhance public perception and thus its financial performance.
Just like other spaces, the design for a medical facility also considers the functional and operational aspects albeit more so, as well as the aesthetics. The ideal spatial planning for a hospital or any other healthcare services provider should factor in these considerations (not exhaustive):
• Enhance the flow of traffic between different operations/ tasks within and among departments. This could mean minimising walking distance in getting certain critical tasks done.
• Plan similar operational procedures together to facilitate operational flow. Perhaps like grouping outpatient functions together at one consolidated area to facilitate ease of convenience and movement.
• Consider how the logistics system and flow for tasks involving medical processes, dispensing of devices and equipment can be enhanced efficiently.
• Plan for an open, seamless, and modular layout so as to agilely adapt and incorporate changing models of care, emerging medical technologies, or emerging healthcare needs. The focus on preventive medicine and a rapidly ageing population for example have resulted in the changing structure of our hospitals. Now the newer hospitals such as Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Jurong and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun have community hospitals that cater to intermediate and long term care needs, part of the local government's initiative to integrate our healthcare services and better manage our resources.
• Plan for wide spaces and open areas to aid in patient's movement as well as consider the privacy and dignity of the patient when designing.
• Ease of wayfinding. Signages have to be prominent to enable visitors and patients to maneuver their way easily. Imagine for a patient already feeling anxious about his treatment, the lack of clear directional signages might actually amplify his nerves.
• Be aligned with the mission and vision of the medical facility. For Mahkota Medical Centre, Kyoob-ID translated the brief of 'placing the patient first' into creating a comfortable, relaxing environment through waiting and counseling rooms and dedicated counters for answering client's enquiries.
On top of excellent spatial flow, the aesthetics play a major part in keeping the patients' moods uplifted that is conducive for speedy recovery:
• Amplify natural light. There's so much what some sunshine can do for your mood. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital by CPG Consultants, HOK (USA) and Studio 505 (Australia) for example is designed with a window for every patient with the aim to provide lighting and external views for the patient.
• Bring the outdoors in. This can be done by featuring nature elements in mural designs and incorporating greenery inside the facility.
• Choose a lighter colour profile. Darker colours connote mystery and intrigue while softer pastels are mood enhancers. Colours can help to create a therapeutic environment for the patient.
• Understand the customer's profile and the culture of the company and portray the ethos and personality in the interior. To stand out, the interior is best aligned to the essence of the brand.
• Environmental graphics play a major role in creating a therapeutic environment. Use of correct visuals can reinforce the emotional appeal and induce positive moods which in turn help in the patient's recovery.
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