Taking a Holistic Clinical Design Approach to Healthcare Everywhere

Kurt Forsthoefel - Director of Marketing, Midmark Medical

 

6/19/2024

 

In a previous post, we talked about the ongoing growth of non-traditional providers and explained how Midmark is working with a number of them to emphasize that better care starts with a better-designed experience.

The most notable example of non-traditional providers is urgent care that specializes in delivering medical care for minor illnesses and injuries. More recent entrants into this category include employer-owner/third-party contracted sites that offer a company's employees a convenient way to meet certain primary care needs, as well as commercial and private equity entities that focus on the cost and convenience aspect to attract potential patients.

As these non-traditional providers expand traditional primary care to meet patient demands for the convenience of healthcare everywhere, it is important that their point of care is shaped by existing, clinical design components.

This means adopting the same holistic clinical design approach that has been adopted in numerous traditional primary care environments. This will help ensure facility, workflow and technology/equipment design are equally incorporated and elevated in the space. It will also help ensure quality care is delivered and the intended clinical outcomes are realized.

Non-traditional healthcare providers that adopt a holistic clinical design approach will be well-positioned to realize a number of strategic benefits, including:

  • Stronger patient-caregiver interaction by designing the clinical point of care environment around the patient. The layout and configurationof the room and the equipment it contains can significantly impact the effectiveness of any clinical space. When following a patient-centered approach, everything from the size of the room to the location of the exam chair can be important. For instance, the size of the room needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate the patient, physician and staff, and allow exams and procedures to be properly performed.

  • Operational efficiencies by seamlessly integrating new technology into the delivery of care. One way to do this is by utilizing mobile workstations that can centralize the digital ecosystem, providing clinicians with a flexible solution for integrating connected technology and bringing data to the point of care without sacrificing workflow. Many mobile workstations available on the market can be customized to provide a platform for telehealth programs. They can also incorporate advanced technology, such as cameras, digital instruments and expanded monitors.

  • Safer, more inviting environments for both patients, clinicians and clinical staff by utilizing cabinetry designed specifically for use in clinical environments. For instance, cabinetry that is designed for average-height healthcare workers who interact with cabinetry in the medical space and enable staff to easily reach frequently accessed supplies without unnecessary stretching or constant overreaching. These same cabinets also feature design elements that play a part in infection prevention efforts, including a seamless design and antimicrobial handles and surfaces that help protect from infections.

  • Enhanced quality care and clinical outcomes by bringing increased standardization and accuracy to blood pressure (BP) measurement. For example, using a power examination chair that is designed to promote American Heart Association (AHA) recommended patient positioning for BP capture. This includes multi-positioning options to ensure a patient’s back is properly supported, while the arm with cuff is maintained at heart height by the accessory rails. A low chair height also helps ensure a patient’s feet are firmly placed on the floor while acquiring BP readings.

Click here to see how Midmark can help you adopt a holistic clinical design approach to achieve your operational and business objectives.