Modern healthcare has made big turns in designing patient privacy and safety post COVID. Preserving sensitive information while elevating patient experience. According to the Privacy Rule, in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, “reasonable effort”, is required to be made when it comes to patient confidentiality within the walls of the healthcare space. The penalty for violating these HIPPA rules come with a hefty fine and a stain on the business’s reputation. Depending on the severity, the impact can be devastating.
Easy updates and renovations to your health care building can enhance the patient’s time spent in the facility space and ensure you are doing everything you can to protect their privacy. Design trends in healthcare communities include patient registration areas, staff work zones, and inpatient rooms.
Patient registration areas
The patient’s journey typically starts in the waiting or registration area. It is also most often where a significant amount of personal information is disclosed. Many patients have found the open floor plan for this process uncomfortable.
New designs include seating areas that are separate from check-in location, registration areas with partitions between them, and private enclosed rooms for registration.
It is also helpful to have sound absorbing ceilings, floors, and walls, to safeguard the patient’s privacy and personal information.
Staff work zones
Centralized work areas and nurse stations are a hub for everyone on the care team. “However, these flexible layouts can make patient information more visible to people passing by and sensitive conversations can be overheard. By paying special attention to the footprint, adding glass partitions around work zones, applying a privacy film to computer screens and partitions, and utilizing sound-absorbing finishes, these risks can be mitigated. Additionally, small enclaves with doors adjacent to the work area provide a safe space for sensitive conversations among care teams,” Building Design & Construction.
Inpatient Rooms
Patient rooms are inevitably filled with care plans and information. Since COVID, sliding glass doors and partitions has increased visibility for both the staff and those walking-bye. Incorporating new designs such as sound absorbing finishes, corridor windows, and integral blinds have promoted privacy and security.
Our healthcare system continues to evolve, ensure your healthcare community is ahead of the competition! SWET Construction Group knows what it takes to deliver an environment that works for your patients, staff and increase your profits.