Healing Spaces in hospital

Illness is dreaded by all and hence to be frank…no one considers a visit to a healthcare facility to be a pleasant outing. But this perspective can change … if your healthcare unit is designed in such a way that it can mentally and physically contribute to the well being of a patient. Healthcare facilities that are constructed with this aim in mind are considered to be examples of healing architecture. .

Architecture is a merger of art, science and technology. It has many facets to it and has to be designed with the end user’s objective in mind. In a healthcare set-up the patients, their loved ones, the doctors, the nurses and the other staff are the end users. A healthcare facility that is designed and constructed in a way that it favourably impacts the physical wellness, mental well-being and safety of all these end users will be called a healing space.

The aims of healing spaces

• Speedier healing
• Happier state of mind
• Faster recovery
• Reduction of anxiety
• Alleviation of stress
• Better atmosphere

Benefits of healing spaces

1.Catalyst to a better mind frame

Architecture when used thoughtfully has the ability to improve mental, emotional and psychological wellness. Help your patients garner positive vibes from your set-up. Speedier recovery

2. Speedier recovery

Atmosphere has a lot of effect on a person’s state of mind. If the atmosphere of your healthcare unit is a pleasant one, it will give a psychological boost and hasten your patient’s recovery.

3. More footfall

If the design of the healthcare setting is positive and aesthetically pleasing, it can attract more clients and increase footfall.

4. Better perception

Your patient will have a positive association about your healthcare institute. Instead of having a negative memory of illness, he/ she will associate your set-up with the positive memory of speedy recovery. This will improve your brand image as word-of-mouth promotion is very important in healthcare.

Some components of healing spaces

1. Connect with nature

If space permits, make use of outdoor elements like a pond, water fountain, garden etc. Research has established that open spaces and nature have the ability to act as de-stressors and to reduce the pain/ anxiety hormones. They can stimulate the release of the body’s natural antibodies and painkillers and hasten the recovery process. If this is not practical due to space constraint, replace them with pictures or wall hangings of panoramic scenes or indoor plants.

2. Use Glass

Research has proven that patients who could gaze outside at nature had a faster rate of recovery as compared to those who faced blank walls. Using glass doors and windows can help the patient feel an connect with nature and feel relaxed and thus heal faster. Glass can also help the patient gain access to sunlight.

3. Noise cancellation

 A healthcare set-up can be a busy and raucous place. Continuous coming and going of patients, hum of machines, chatter of the nurses can also create a lot of disturbance. Noise can be a deterrent to the quality and quantity of sleep and also increase stress levels. This can cascade in a host of health issues. Use of soundproofing material to nullify this noise intrusion can help. Soothing music in waiting and reception areas can also help.

4. Access to Light

Sunlight has therapeutic effect on physical, mental and emotional well-being. It also provides us with Vitamin D, an important element for health, immunity and wellness. Try to unleash the goodness of sunlight for your clients by designing windows in the right direction (East). See that the artificial lights are adjustable for brightness and well placed so that patients can get the maximum benefit.

5. Use of Healing Colors

Colors are considered to have a great impact on our behavior, mindsets, energy levels and moods. Some colors like light blue and green have the ability to soothe while others like red have the ability to energize and stimulate. You should harness the right balance of colors in your healing space.  Hospital ceilings and walls should have neutral colors like white, off white or beige for calmness. Pastel colors can revive feelings of peacefulness. Colors like red and orange must be used in small amounts to add a splash of energy.

Take the services of an equipment consultancy firm which can offer feasibility studies and aid your decision making before you invest in expensive medical equipment so that it will not become outdated very soon. Hospital management may seem like tough terrain road, lined with hairpin bends and zig-zag curves but with proper planning, organization and implementation, you can navigate this without a hitch. You can take the help of professional healthcare management agencies to avoid these pitfalls with a sustainable and thoughtfully-designed strategy aimed at productivity hike, cost reduction and quality optimization.

If you are looking for a reliable Hospital management consultancy, get in touch with Hospertz Health Consultancy today.

Dr. Vishal Jadhav

hospertz@gmail.com

+91 9820833149 / 9867712705