CGM - Design Intervention for the Special Care Nursery at The Ottawa Hospitals
The Ottawa Hospital shows the importance of interior design by considering design principles when creating their new space across the hall for the Special Care Nursery at the Civic Campus. They put themselves in the shoes of the parents and the baby when designing the rooms.
This new addition uses design techniques to improve the process of care for Ottawa’s newest and smaller patients. Babies are the new generation and making sure their care is the best promotes a better future. The Ottawa hospital made sure to create a safe space; not only for the infant, but for the parents as well. Making sure both parties feel their best will lead to a better outcome in the infant’s care.
This new section includes Private rooms with controlled airflow. This helps infections from spreading to the new delicate babies and gives a peaceful space for the parents. In addition, the new Special care Nursery features three private rooms, two twin rooms, and two pods. One with six beds and the other with five beds. The rooms and hallways of the new Special Care Nursery Feature bright colours and natural light.
The colours of the interior space is one of the important elements of design that contribute to the quality of the patient and family experience. “The deliberate amalgamation of color, light, and décor in hospital settings can cue certain behaviors and cognitions, influence the quality of experiences, and facilitate healthy development” (Weinberger 82).. People are attracted to colour and when the colour selected is based on research it can have a positive result. In the case of the Special Care Nursery, the bright colours chosen are inviting and positive. The colour makes the parents feel welcomed and contributes to helping the parents feel calm and hopeful in this stressful period. “Windows provide access to daylight in the interior, and they have been shown to influence positively health outcomes within healthcare settings” (Weinberger 82). Natural light gives the patient a window to the outdoors and a connectivity to the world around them. The healthy natural light benefits both the baby and the parent in the process of treatment. To conclude; as shown in The Ottawa Hospital Special Care Nursery, design features in interiors such as colour and natural light achieve positive effects to young patients and their guardians.
This page has paths:
- CGM -An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients Catherine Gomez Medero