In the news this past week: obesity rates drop among young children in the U.S., someone invents a patch that makes you invisible to mosquitos, and Medicare raises penalties for excess readmissions.
Okay, so nobody likes mosquitos.
They can transmit horrible diseases, like malaria and yellow fever. As a health hazard, they may be Public Enemy Number One. In third world countries where there are open air hospitals and clinics, the presence of these nasty little insects is a healthcare design issue.
In third world countries where there are open air hospitals and clinics, the presence of these nasty little insects is a healthcare design issue.
And it's good news that U.S. obesity rates are dropping. Concerns about this have led to a much-needed focus on wellness and active living.
Healthcare providers can promote active living by designing inviting stairwells and public spaces in their hospitals and clinics that encourage patients, visitors, and staff to be more mobile. Or design cues for healthy eating into the environment, as this hotel in Sweden did.
Readmissions is a Big Issue
Finally, with 66% of U.S. hospitals about to be penalized by Medicare even more for excess readmissions, this is a BIG issue that costs billions of dollars a year. Among elderly Medicare patients admitted for heart failure, the major causes of unplanned readmissions are failure to take their drugs properly or schedule follow-up appointments.
Key to solving the hospital readmissions problem is effective communication among patients, caregivers, and caretakers. And effective communication is supported by a physical environment that promotes healing and reduces stress for patients and staff. Designing private spaces where people can talk is also important.
And effective communication is supported by a physical environment that promotes healing and reduces stress for patients and staff. Designing private spaces where people can talk is also important.
A hospital that was part of Joint Commission Resource's Project RED initiative a few years ago found that an elderly patient was not taking her medications upon discharge because she could not open her prescription bottles. So, the hospital asked local pharmacies to tell elderly patients to ask for regular bottle caps.
This, too, is a healthcare design issue. Why can't we design bottles with labels that people can read and caps that they can easily open?
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