Posted: March 7th, 2023

Impacts of the Design of Healthcare Settings/Environments on Patient Fall

Impacts of the Design of Healthcare Settings/Environments on Patient Fall

Patient fall is a serious issue that affects the quality and safety of healthcare delivery. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 37.3 million falls occur each year that require medical attention, and about 646,000 people die as a result of falls globally. In healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, patient fall can lead to injuries, complications, increased length of stay, higher costs, and lower patient satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to patient fall and how the design of healthcare settings/environments can influence them.

One of the factors that can affect patient fall is the physical environment of the healthcare setting. This includes the layout, lighting, flooring, furniture, equipment, and signage of the space where patients receive care. The physical environment can either facilitate or hinder patient mobility, orientation, comfort, and safety. For example, a cluttered or crowded space can increase the risk of tripping or bumping into objects; a poorly lit or noisy space can impair vision or hearing; a slippery or uneven floor can cause loss of balance or stability; a low-quality or inappropriate furniture or equipment can create discomfort or difficulty in transferring; and a confusing or inadequate signage can lead to disorientation or wandering.

Therefore, the design of healthcare settings/environments should aim to create a physical environment that minimizes the risk of patient fall and maximizes patient well-being. Some of the design strategies that can help achieve this goal are:

– Providing adequate and adjustable lighting that meets the needs of different patients and activities
– Using non-slip and resilient flooring materials that reduce the impact of falls
– Arranging furniture and equipment in a way that allows enough space for movement and accessibility
– Choosing furniture and equipment that are ergonomic, comfortable, and easy to use
– Installing handrails, grab bars, and other assistive devices that support patient mobility and stability
– Implementing clear and consistent signage that guides patients to their destinations and alerts them to potential hazards

By applying these design strategies, healthcare settings/environments can create a physical environment that supports patient fall prevention and enhances patient outcomes.

References:

: World Health Organization. (2018). Falls. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls
: Quigley, P. A., & White, S. V. (2013). Hospital-based fall program measurement and improvement in high reliability organizations homework help – research paper writing service. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2), 5.
: Ulrich, R., Zimring, C., Zhu, X., DuBose, J., Seo, H. B., Choi, Y. S., … & Joseph, A. (2008). A review of the research literature on evidence-based healthcare design. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 1(3), 61-125.