Expansion and maintenance in healthcare facilities can lead to disruption and fragmented temporary solutions. This is often unavoidable, but sadly when spaces are not intentionally designed for the needs of patients or clinicians, the quality and safety of treatment can be negatively impacted.
For example, if a patient’s pain and anxiety are heightened by environmental stressors, procedures may take longer to perform, require additional sedation, and result in an inferior care experience.
Medical procedures are likely to always be somewhat distressing, but by collaborating with patients, families and healthcare staff, hospitals can make the experience less traumatic and psychologically safer - promoting healing and improving the success of treatment.
Embracing Human-Centred Design Methods
A 2022 study focused on gathering feedback from children, families, and healthcare professionals to inform the design of paediatric procedure rooms aimed at minimising pain and anxiety in children through psychological, physical, and pharmacological interventions.
The study, titled “Designing a Child-, Family-, and Healthcare Provider–Centred Procedure Room in a Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital,” highlighted several key findings.
Patients, families, and healthcare staff all reported similar needs for successful treatment:
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- Control over the environment
- Space that supports patient privacy
- Use of evidence-based pain reduction and distraction methods
- Attention to the sensory environment
- Human factors organisation
- Accessible and equitable spatial design
- The significance of the journey to and from the procedure
How SDS Doorsets Meet Patient & Provider Needs
The SDS portfolio features the UK’s broadest range of specialist healthcare doorsets, including:
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- PVC-post-formed doorsets
- Clariglide - all-glass, aluminium panelled sliding door
- Priviglaze + Vision Panels
- Ironmongery and accessories
Here we will explore how SDS healthcare doorsets meet the needs established in the study to contribute to creating optimal healthcare environments.
1. Control over the environment
Both healthcare professionals and patients emphasised that the ability to control and personalise aspects of the environment would improve their experience. The ability to adjust lighting, temperature, and sound is essential for creating a comfortable and calming space.
The SDS Clariglide sliding door can be specified with integral tilt-functionality blinds for privacy and light control.
Related: How All-Glass Sliding Doors Can Improve Patient Recovery and Healing
2. Supporting patient privacy
Spaces that support patient privacy are crucial. This includes ensuring that private conversations can take place without others nearby seeing or hearing.
"Patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) shared the experience of someone opening the current procedure room door, causing the patient to be exposed during a sensitive procedure. Both HCPs and patients described the importance of a space where private conversations could take place in confidence.”
SDS Priviglaze + is designed with privacy blinds and warning lights central to the users' approach, to ensure patient privacy and safety.
3. Evidence-based pain reduction and distraction methods
Anxiety and fear related to procedural pain can often be prevented or largely reduced. The importance of the built environment and its proven ability to have a positive influence on patients’ health outcomes, specifically by reducing pain, anxiety, and stress is often underappreciated.
SDS doorsets are designed to support these evidence-based pain reduction methods by incorporating a broad range of calming colours and allowing ample natural light. SDS doorsets create inviting spaces that evoke a sense of tranquillity and connection to the outdoors.
4. Attention to the sensory environment
Patients reported that they notice sensory details in the environment, including light, colour, sound, smell, and touch. “I look at everything when I’m in the space having a test. Give me something to look at,” explained one patient.
Whether it’s a bright-coloured door to encourage positivity, or a neutral tone to evoke calmness - SDS’ broad portfolio of doorsets and colours ensures that each door can be tailored to meet specific project requirements.
Related Case Study: Kings College Hospital
5. Human factors organisation of the space and equipment
The organisation of space and equipment should be uncluttered to facilitate movement and enhance patient and provider experiences.
Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) voiced concerns about current procedure rooms being “crowded” and “unfriendly.” When asked what an ideal procedure room would look like, they want environments that are “welcoming”, “functional” “bright”, and “calm”.
SDS offers Clariglide sliding doors that save space, as well as featuring belt-driven synchronisation technology for easy opening. Our PVC post-formed doorsets utilise clean lines and smooth surfaces, reducing visual clutter.
Related: How Sliding Doors Facilitate Staff Well-Being in Healthcare Environments
6. Accessible and equitable spatial design
Ensuring that spaces are accessible to all patients, regardless of their physical abilities, is fundamental.
SDS doorsets are designed with inclusivity in mind, featuring specifications that cater to various sizes and needs. Our Low Reflectance Value (LRV) colours help enhance visibility, making navigation easier for patients with visual impairments.
The Clariglide sliding door allows for effortless opening with minimal exertion, ideal for individuals using mobility devices such as wheelchairs and strollers.
Additionally, SDS doorsets uphold impeccable infection control and fire safety standards, ensuring a safe environment for all patients and healthcare professionals.
7. The significance of the journey leading up to and after the procedure
Patients and caregivers reported that their experience before arriving at the procedure room had a significant impact on how comfortable they felt about the procedure.
To minimise stress and anxiety, SDS doors are designed to create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the healthcare journey. Thoughtful use of light, texture, and colour enhances an environment, making it feel more inviting and soothing, as well as contributing to effective wayfinding to help patients and visitors navigate a facility with confidence.
Conclusion
Intentional design in healthcare environments is not just aesthetically beneficial - it’s essential for enhancing overall patient experience and outcomes.
As evidenced by the insights from patients, families, and healthcare professionals, creating spaces that prioritise comfort, accessibility, and psychological safety can significantly mitigate the stress and anxiety associated with medical procedures.
SDS doorsets address critical needs such as control over the environment, privacy, sensory engagement, and organisation. By embracing human-centred design principles and integrating features that enhance accessibility and inclusivity, healthcare facilities can transform treatments into a more positive experience.
Thank you for reading.
SDS doorsets are well-recognised for their durability and compliance with stringent safety and hygiene standards. Our products promise long-term performance, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintaining high standards in healthcare environments.
To find out more about how SDS can support with designing your next healthcare project, speak to one of our product specialists by contacting us via the button below.
Further Reading:
- Poorly designed spaces can lead to unsatisfactory care experiences for patients, caregivers, and staff (MacAllister, 2016).
- Evidence-based facility design has been shown to foster healing (DuBose et al., 2018).
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