Creative pediatric hospital designs that make a playful place healing
Children who have to be hospitalized have a hard time adjusting to the change. The fun design in these pediatric clinics and hospitals shows children that they are not alone and will be comfortable while they get the treatment they need. Designers of children’s hospitals worldwide are creating unique settings in bold and imaginative ways, with a cozy and interactive ambiance that intrigues patients, parents, and employees.
Patient-and-family-centered Hospital Designs
The most important thing when it comes to designing a pediatric clinic is putting the needs of young patients and families into consideration. A well-designed children's hospital should contain elements of creative engagement, providing children with various forms of positive distraction.
For example, using technology such as touchscreen game tables and interactive walls in place of traditional toys is both entertaining and educational. On a practical level, they are easy to clean and disinfect. Other visual stimulations include themed walls that keep the space playful and lighthearted.
Moreover, family-friendly seating, ample space for placing strollers and maintaining privacy, as well as separate waiting rooms for babies and adolescents all help create a more comfortable and stress-free visit in these pediatric clinics.
Glass features become increasingly important as well. From door openings to windows found across wards and waiting rooms, glass features integrate daylight and clear views, making the experience of staying at a hospital more pleasant, and reducing the time required for patients’ recovery.
Examples of Creative Engagement in Children’s Hospitals
From family-friendly orientation experiences to reducing stress through gamification, hospitals around the world adopt various approaches to help young patients feel more at ease during their healing journey.
Image of Nemours Children’s Hospital by IDEO via www.ideo.com
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Nemours Children’s Hospital in Florida is known for its research-based hospital designs. Research is conducted around family needs and expectations of crucial experience touchpoints, finding that patients and families have varying levels of experience. The hospital then designs an experience focused on welcoming, guiding, and supporting the visitors. From Floor Greeters who help visitors navigate, to innovative technology that connects families with care teams, the hospital can build a supportive and hospitable space that aids the patients’ recovery.
Image of Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Science & Education Building by B+H via www.bharchitects.com
Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Science & Education Building
Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Science & Education Building has recently caught the attention of many for its visionary approach in hospital design. By integrating interactive installations and natural landscapes, designers hope to create a healing experience through children's perspectives. Sensory stimulation and micro-landscape are design features that keep children engaged, bringing delight and wonder to young patients and adults alike.
Image of Philips Pediatric Coaching by MobiHealthNews via www.mobihealthnews.com
Philips Ambient Experience solution
Philips Ambient Experience solution makes use of augmented reality and gamification to help young patients cope with the daunting experience of undergoing MRI scans. Children are given virtual tours guided by fictional characters before and during the procedure. By helping children prepare ahead, their anxiety is calmed, and the need for sedation is also significantly reduced.
Questions and Answers
Q1: What do hospitalized children need?
Hospitalized children need a space that allows them to recover speedily. This often means the inclusion of family-friendly hospital designs that utilize creative engagement to provide various forms of positive distraction.
How do hospitals engage children?
Hospitals engage children through creative approaches such as interactive installations, natural landscape, sensory stimulations, augmented reality and gamification. These methods are used in different stages of healthcare and provide children with positive distraction.