AHRQ’s Health Care Innovations Exchange Focuses on Patient-Centered Hospital Design

The January 16 issue of AHRQ’s Health Care Innovations Exchange showcases efforts to implement patient-centered hospital design. One hospital used playful room design and distraction techniques to help pediatric patients through radiology treatments without sedation; a second used natural light, soft colors, plants, art, and music to help patients feel comfortable and heal faster. An infusion center based its patient-centered redesign on the results of a patient survey, which highlighted the need for more comfortable furniture, better lighting, spacious waiting areas, and nature-inspired artwork.

View more innovation profiles and tools related to patient-centered hospital care and facility design on the Innovations Exchange Web site, which contains more than 750 searchable innovations and 1,500 Quality Tools.

Innovations & QualityTools | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

Innovations

Engaging Room Design and Distraction Techniques Comfort Pediatric Radiology Patients, Leading to Less Need for Sedation, Shorter Wait Times, Higher Satisfaction 1/16/2013

A pediatric radiology department uses theme-based room designs, multisensory distractions, and age-appropriate interactions and techniques to engage and distract young patients, leading to significantly less use of sedation, shorter scheduling lead times, increased throughput, and higher parent and staff satisfaction.

Patient- and Family-Centered Care Initiative is Associated With High Patient Satisfaction and Positive Outcomes For Total Joint Replacement Patients 11/28/2012

The Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center implemented the Patient- and Family-Centered Care Methodology and Practice, a low-technology, systems-based approach to inpatient care that focuses on providing care from the patient and family’s perspective; the program is associated with high rates of patient satisfaction, functional status, and adherence to evidence-based care protocols, along with low infection rates and length of stay.

Teamwork Enhancement Program Improves Obstetric Care in a Military Hospital 11/7/2012

An evidence-based teamwork and communication program implemented in the labor and delivery unit of Madigan Army Medical Center led to an improved care process.

Cardiac Unit Features Acuity-Adjustable Rooms and Other Patient-Centered Programs, Leading to Well-Above Average Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction 10/24/2012

A cardiothoracic care unit uses a multifaceted approach to patient- and family-centered care, leading to a well-above-average performance with respect to patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Palliative Care Program Honors Parent Wishes and Provides Support, Generating Positive Feedback From Families Facing Loss of Baby 8/1/2012

A neonatal palliative care program supports and arranges needed services for families who experience the loss of a baby, generating very positive anecdotal feedback from those served.

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QualityTools

Palliative Care Tools 10/24/2012

This collection of palliative care tools can help improve health care for patients near the end of life and their families.

Advancing Pharmacy Health Literacy Practices Through Quality Improvement: Curricular Modules for Faculty 5/23/2012

These curricular modules, for pharmacy faculty, integrate health literacy and health literacy quality improvement into courses, experiential education, and projects for PharmD students and pharmacy residents.

Preventing Wrong-Site Surgery Toolkit 8/25/2010

This toolkit includes information to aid health care facilities in preventing wrong-site surgeries.

Quick Tips—When Planning for Surgery 10/6/2008

This tool presents 12 questions patients should ask their doctor before having surgery.

Strategies to Improve Communication Between Pharmacy Staff and Patients: A Training Program for Pharmacy Staff 8/29/2008

This training program is designed to introduce pharmacists to the problem of low health literacy in patient populations and to identify the implications of this problem for the delivery of health care services.

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Last updated: January 16, 2013.