2/10/2003
By William N. Bernstein, ACHA, AIA
Bernstein & Associates,
Architects
As the U.S. healthcare system struggles to adapt to new government
regulations and shifting financial realities (including
changing reimbursement rates), one sector that offers a
potential helping hand is architecture. Knowledgeable
architectural firms offer a useful blend of strategic
thinking, practicality, and creativity. For healthcare
entities looking to cut costs, maximize staff efficiency,
and increase patient satisfaction, our firm created the
following 10 points that can be used as a framework for
forward-looking healthcare design and construction.
1. Greening the healthcare environment
An important development that has swept across all
architectural project types -- and is particularly
relevant to healthcare and laboratories -- is the "green
design" movement. Simply put, this movement advocates
environmentally friendly design on several levels:
- On a macro level, buildings are designed to use
fewer natural resources in their daily operations (less
electricity, less fuel, less gas).
- Also on a macro level, design specifications avoid
depletion of scarce natural materials from endangered
environments.
- On a micro level, buildings are designed to be
toxin-free to their inhabitants (examples of impacted
areas include fresh air requirements and specification
of materials that do not emit volatile organic
compounds).
To socially conscious hospitals, and particularly as a
foundation for a healing environment, the appeal of green
design is enormous...
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