The look, feel and overall condition of a healthcare facility speaks volumes to all who enter. A well-conceived interior standards program will set the bar for patient, visitor and staff expectations. To inspire confidence and reduce stress, the environment must be in-sync with an organization’s reputation, mission and core values. The interior environment can be a powerful indicator of quality: quality of care, quality of customer service and a quality experience.
An Interiors Standards package will provide a framework to inform your current spaces, define future endeavors and solve many challenges faced by patients, visitors, staff and facility managers. Implementing a Standards Package simplifies decisions on many fronts and allows for quick implementation on diverse renovation projects.
The first step when embarking on a Standard program is to complete a thorough observation cycle and a develop a clear assessment of the interior appearance, imperfections and cleanliness factors. Honestly assessing the condition and character of the facility is the foundation of a successful program, as there are often varying standards of what constitutes “clean and in good repair.”
The earliest phase of a standards program will include a careful evaluation of first vs. lifecycle costs as well as ROI opportunities. Rounding out the Standards program will be a comprehensive set of preferred materials, application methodologies and details, and finally, an overall brand-oriented family of colors, materials and design concepts which will be communicated in a user-oriented interactive design manual.
A hospital’s interior environment should convey a compelling impression of excellence, caring, comfort and compassion. The commitment to patient well-being and safety should be inherent. Every hospital has the potential to be a place where quality healthcare is provided, stress is relieved, refuge is provided, respect is reciprocated, competence is symbolized, way-finding is facilitated and patients and their families are treated as partners.
