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This sentiment is echoed by Karim Khemakhemm,
interior design director for AECOM Ellerbe Becket, the designers behind several healthcare facilities including The City Hospital in Dubai, which won the award for Best Interior Design (Built) at the Hospital Build Middle East Exhibition & Congress 2009. He says: “We try to make the patient experience as
positive as possible, by creating a comfortable and safe envi- ronment which helps to dissipate anxiety and fear. If a patient’s anxiety is reduced then they become much more receptive to treatment, so we try to achieve this in our designs.” Khemakhemm explains the various components of
a so-called healing environment. “It involves the intro- duction of soothing elements – plants, water features, etc. – in a way which is not invasive. Natural light should be maximised in the patients’ rooms and waiting areas. If the hospital has a big floor plate then we try to introduce some light wells or courtyards, to bring the light in. People can also utilise the courtyards in good weather. The use of colour is an important consideration, according
to Khemakhemm. “We try to avoid intense colours, espe- cially red – the colour of blood – which is not appropriate in healthcare. We use colours that appear in nature – ‘earthstone’ colours – which are more soothing.” Higgins agrees: “The colours and materials used in
facilities have changed drastically from the traditional clinical interpretation with lots of white.” Another contributing factor towards comfort is sound. Khemakhemm adds: “An excessive amount of echo is very negative for patients, so we try to deaden the sound a little bit by using softer materials, which also creates a more comfortable environment. “Comfort is enhanced if there’s more texture in the materials, but you also have to bear maintenance in mind. For instance, carpet tiles are easy to take out and replace, plus they add comfort as they introduce elements from home. The more you make the patient’s room feel like a bedroom or a hotel room, the more comfortable the patient will be. If a room is full of medical equipment then this could scare the patient. We’re trying to move away from this.” Higgins reiterates that materials have to be easy to
clean: “One of the issues of using materials that are non- traditional is infection control – you have to make sure that surfaces can be clinically cleaned.” He also points out that patient wellbeing is affected by the layout of the centre. “Facilities that are properly designed with adequate access will enhance patient wellbeing as
2
well as the patient experience. If things like car parks and drop-off points are neglected then patients will really struggle to get into the healthcare facilities.” Khemakhem agrees: “It’s important to make it easy for patients to find their
way in and out. It stems from the planning of the building – the way the patient moves from the car drop-off point to the information desk, and then all the way to the specific department. Signs should be very simple, clear and uncluttered.” Higgins adds: “If a facility has a poor directional strategy you’ll have people wandering around not knowing where to go and asking for directions. There’s a new ‘way finding’ system that’s being used in the UK which is numerical. I think it will have a big impact in the Middle East – here we have dual language signage, and if you have lengthy names it becomes cum- bersome and difficult to find your way around. “The numerical system is similar to those used in airports, where you’re
told to go to Gate 12, for example. The system hasn’t been brought over to the Middle East yet but we’re looking to see how we can implement it in some of the hospitals we’re working on in the region.” It’s not just the patients that need the comfort factor, as Higgins explains:
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