According to the Agency for Healthcare and Quality, 2.5 billion patients are expected to set foot in exam rooms over the next decade. This is more than double every other site of care combined. How we design and equip exam rooms will have a massive and widespread impact on both patients and caregivers.
What effect do changing age demographics have on the healthcare environment?
a. Effects of an aging population on patients and providers
b. Effects of obesity rates in the US on patient care
c. Younger patients consume healthcare in a different way than older generations
Understanding the safety risk of the traditional exam room:
a. Risk in patient transit to exam room
b. Risk of patient movement in the exam room
c. Risk to staff in moving/lifting patients
Exploring ADA accessibility in the exam room:
a. Space considerations in 2D for ADA compliance and accessibility
b. Height considerations for accessible equipment and handwashing
Understanding the workflow inefficiencies of the traditional exam room:
a. How does manual vitals acquisition affect data accuracy?
b. Transcription errors with patient data
Ergonomics in the exam room:
a. What is the cost of poor computer placement for clinicians?
b. Is storage in the exam room ergonomic, is it efficient?
Infection Prevention in the exam room:
a. Where do most HAI’s come from?
b. Do the materials we use in the exam room support infection prevention?
What tools are available to aid in exam room design? Exploring design considerations and equipment specifications to address:
a. Safety
b. ADA Accessibility
c. Workflow
d. Ergonomics
e. Infection Prevention
Core Competencies: Space Planning and Programming; Design; Equipment Planning; Strategic Planning; Construction Management; Computer Principles and Applications.
AIA Course Number: 2024.04.018
AIA CEU = 1 LU/HSW