A recent study by Curtin University sought to understand how design of Perth’s new children’s hospital impacted nurse workflow activities and patient and family experiences.
The $1.2-billion paediatric hospital, designed by JCY Architects and Urban Designers, Cox Architecture, and Billard Leece Partnership with HKS, hwelcomed its first patients in May 2018, replacing the former 109-year-old Princess Margaret Hospital in Subiaco.
The new hospital design incorporates mostly single patient rooms, a 65 percent larger floor area than the previous hospital, and a V-shaped ward designed to maximise natural light and views for its occupants.
The research, published in Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, considered the perspectives of nurses, patients and families through a pre- and post-move study, conducted over three different periods from November 2017 to September 2019.
The study found nurses spent double the amount time walking in the new hospital compared with the previous and the same amount of time spent at patients’ bedsides. Nurses reported initial exaustion after the relocation to the new hospital but the study concluded that “over time, the initial practice challenges reduced as nurses adapted to working in the new environment.”
Perth Children’s Hospital by JCY Architects and Urban Designers, Cox Architecture, and Billard Leece Partnership, with HKS.
Image:
Shannon McGrath
“Our research revealed both benefits and challenges. Patients and families liked the new environment (in particular the natural light, privacy of single patient rooms and views), yet also recognised how the design resulted in reduced visibility of nurses and a sense of isolation,” said lead researcher associate professor Fenella Gill.
“Nurses reported that the new environment resulted in them initially experiencing exhaustion; less visibility to families and other nurses; and decreased capacity to supervise less experienced nurses, but over time they did adjust to their new working environment and their experiences did improve.”
But while there was a perceived reportage that nurses were less visible and spent less time with patients, lead researcher associate professor Fenella Gill said the study revealed “no hard change” to nurse time spent at patients’ bedsides.
Read the full paper, “A new children’s hospital with larger floor space, single rooms and V-shaped ward design: A pre – post evaluation of nurse time providing patient care and nurse, patient and family experiences,” here.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
