Blog Contribution by NIHD Member Melanie Viquez FACHE, PMP, EDAC.
At this year's Healthcare Design Conference + Expo (HCD), my motivation to attend was driven from the evolving landscape of healthcare design, prompting me to explore the pervasive influence, redirection, and support technology has offered in shaping our perspectives. In this blog, I will analyze two presentations that shed light on the innovative ways technologies are leveraged to improve the healthcare journey for patients and the impact it has on future design.
The first to review focused on the disruptive digital innovation and technologies on the environment, presented by Steve Langston, Vice President of Design and Brian White, Director of Computational Design with RLF on the aspects of the Virtual or Real: New Medical Technologies that will Transform the Therapeutic Environment.
Technology Challenges and Advantages
After educating the audience on the proven critical elements for a therapeutic environment we dove into the challenges and stresses facing the clinical staff. So, the question is can technology ease these problems. Their presentation demonstrated a clear increase in uses of telehealth advantages and a reduction in the cost of use and increase in patient satisfaction. Different mobile set ups are being implemented to facilitate room uses and how it is reserving the flow and bringing services to where the patient lives. This value is only accentuated by the wearables to monitor, diagnostics plug-ins, and AI to drive predictive care. Bottomline, technology in healthcare is growing as indicated in the IT market base, therefore the industry must be prepared to demonstrate how it will integrate these technologies with design to create a healing environment.
Elements in Design
The presenter examined the impact of telehealth, wearables, robotics, augmented reality, 3D printing, and AI. However, I was particularly interested in telehealth because of its direct impact on space and patient satisfaction. A study done by Harvard Health and the CDC demonstrated the implication on healthcare facilities included the following:
Consistent Design Elements – focus on the set up and dedicated areas for these spaces
Film-Industry Standards – consider the lighting and set up for the “broadcast-quality” experience
Optimal Screen Locations for Viewing – consider adjustable, movable mountings so everyone in the room can see
Less Space Needed – because of the mobility in locations and convenient care in the home, this will lead to potential less space in the healthcare setting.
I delved into the second session titled "Technology & Its Influence on Health Outcomes and the Evolution of Healthcare Spaces." This session explored the role of technology in shaping healthcare design and was led by a panel of experts, including Gloria Cascarino, CEO of Medical Equipment Consulting Media; Andrea Hyde, International Healthcare Facility Planning & Design Consultant from Menlo Park; Robert Masters, Principal at CannonDesign; and Alberto Salvatore, Principal at Salvatore Architecture + Consulting.
This team examined the intersection of Digital Health and the Human Experience through a comprehensive study conducted in 2022. Their discussion was anchored in case studies and key areas, including the University of Minnesota Health Clinics & Surgery Center, Virtual Nursing, and the Integrated Modular System Concept (IMSC). Additionally, they underscored the incorporation of new terminology set to be integrated into the forthcoming 2026 FGI Guidelines. Moreover, they introduced a functional program resource aimed at aiding the planning of future spaces with a focus on virtual considerations.
“Phygital”
A term highlighted during the presentation was "Phygital." This concept involves leveraging technology to connect the digital and physical realms, aiming to offer distinctive interactive experiences for users. Contemporary healthcare designers consistently need to inquire about the type of experience they are creating for patients and whether it is positively impacting their well-being. Such question being ask include:
Are we creating opportunities for technology to intersect with the built environment?
Does the intersection of space and technology create meaningful experience?
Are these experiences impacting patient care and outcomes?
Are these experiences impacting staff satisfaction?
FGI Language
The Environment Standards Council has been actively engaged in addressing the increasing impact and influence of technology on the design, construction, and operations of healthcare facilities. The panel presented the proposed new sections and new language to be included in the FGI 2026 editions. There will be more description of engineering and technology system required and new language for a new governing body to support the workflows, building system and infrastructure.
Building Resources
In the case study examples, the functional programming tool was showcased, illustrating how it addressed Environment of Care components associated with the integration of technology and its influence on physical space and overall operational functionality. The tool guides designers through various considerations, encompassing the concept of technology usage, the user demographics, effective system integration, operational and layout requirements, the impact of technology on key physical environment elements, and the implementation and optimal utilization of technology within physical spaces. For further information on these resources and to explore the five-step approach to developing a functional program, please refer to the following link. https://www.healthdesign.org/tools/functional-program-guide
