Patients and their Families First

In designing its patient rooms, Dublin Methodist Hospital took into consideration research showing that private patient rooms avert infection and medical errors, and that patients recovering in rooms with natural sunlight typically use half as much pain medication as patients who are in interior rooms. The wireless communication system and sound-muffling ceiling tiles help keep down noise levels, which has been shown to benefit the emotional well-being of patients and staff. All rooms are acuity adapatable so patients can stay put and have the same staff throughout their stages of recovery. They are large enough and laid out so that family members can stay in the room without being in the way when clinicians are caring for a patient.

This article 1st appeared in the July 2008 issue of HHN Magazine.

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