DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
In December 2020, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital in New Jersey completed a $250 m campus transformation project. Patients can control elements such as the temperature in their room, lighting, and window shades; tablets provide immediate access to patient information, and electronic signage keeps families and patients informed. Externally, outdoor dining areas and healing gardens serve as a connection between the building and the local Cherry Hill community.
circadian lighting that adapt automatically to occupancy and user preferences enhance the comfort and well-being of occupants, aligning with the aim of creating responsive and user-friendly spaces.
Emergence of HCD through digital deployment Yet it is the melding of digital tools with architectural design that can truly propel healthcare spaces into a realm of enhanced human-centricity. Deploying digital technology to tackle specific operational or clinical challenges often yields efficiencies that liberate physical space, time, or resources. The flexibility this affords provides fertile ground on which HCD initiatives can flourish. The convergence of digital tools and HCD holds the promise of redefining healthcare spaces into bastions of patient-centric innovation, where every area is meticulously designed with these principles in mind, courtesy of the digital momentum paving the way. Consider the scenario where a healthcare facility adopts a fully digitised appointment, check-in, and virtual waiting room platform. This innovative system streamlines the scheduling process, optimises the utilisation of consultation rooms, significantly enhances patient flow, and minimises on-site wait times. Moreover, it introduces a ‘wait anywhere’ approach, where patients are not confined to traditional waiting areas, but have the freedom to use nearby facilities or outdoor spaces. They are notified via mobile alerts when it is their turn to be seen, and guided back to the facility in time for their appointment. Triggered by digital innovation, this transformation redefines the conventional need for physical waiting
74 Health Estate Journal March 2024
areas, creating a ripple effect on the facility’s spatial design. Guided by the principles of HCD, this
new-found spatial freedom presents exciting opportunities. What was once a crowded waiting area can now be repurposed into a range of beneficial spaces – a serene relaxation zone, an educational centre offering health workshops, or simply additional consultation rooms to expedite patient care. The design of these spaces is driven by the goal of enhancing the patient experience, ensuring accessibility, comfort, and engagement. This narrative exemplifies the evolutionary journey initiated by the integration of digital healthcare tools that solve immediate operational challenges, leading to a cascade of opportunities for embedding HCD principles within healthcare spaces. In a second scenario, the deployment
of digital inventory management systems, centralised supply chain solutions, and autonomous mobile robots for transport and logistics, could significantly improve space utilisation and reduce the need for satellite storage throughout a healthcare facility. Ward space once reserved for ‘just-in-case’ inventory becomes accessible to re-imagine the layout of the ward. Expanded single patient rooms that enhance privacy and introduce amenities catering to the needs and comfort of both patients and their loved ones are now within reach. Multi-functional spaces for group therapy, educational sessions, or community support groups, transition from wishful thinking to rational reality. Similarly, the integration of telemedicine and virtual care solutions can potentially reduce foot traffic within healthcare facilities. The reduced number of in- person visits could translate to less demand for parking, (un)paving the way for repurposed green, outdoor spaces, therapeutic gardens, or exercise areas. Incorporating HCD principles, these outdoor spaces can be transformed into sanctuaries that promote physical activity, relaxation, and mental well-being, for both patients and staff. AI continues to make headlines in the healthcare world with its promise of revolutionary change to the way in which we diagnose, treat, and interact within healthcare. It may not be obvious, but these changes will significantly contribute to the active promotion of HCD. AI-driven analysis of information will soon enable a nuanced understanding of each patient’s unique health profile, leading to customised treatment plans and preventive strategies. These personalised insights promise that healthcare interventions will not only be more effective, but also resonate more deeply with patients, enhancing their engagement and satisfaction, and aligning perfectly with the core principles of HCD.
The Rose Garden of the third tower at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, which opened in January 2021, is ‘an innovative and tranquil wellness garden that provides an open-air space for patients to reflect and heal’.
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