A new Web site is ndesigned to help safety-net clinics learn about the latest thinking in building design.
The site comes in the wake of the recently enacted $787 billion federal stimulus package, which includes $1.5 billion to fund facility and infrastructure upgrades for community health centers.
Developed by The Center for Health Design, with financial support from the California HealthCare Foundation, “Clinic Design – Transforming Primary Care Enivronments” is intended for community health centers and other safety-net clinics planning upgrades to their facilities.
The release of stimulus dollars to renovate or build new clinic facilities began in August, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
"As awareness of evidence-based design increases and the body of evidence grows, more people have sought to build acute-care hospitals with the guidance of those skilled in the practice," said Debra Levin, president and CEO of the center. "Thanks to support from CHCF, we are able to provide the same kind of tools and resources to the clinic community."
Site features include a literature review of the evidence around ambulatory care facility design; a compilation of clinic design case studies and tips from the field; a breakdown of recommended evidence-based design strategies; and advice from those working in the field.
Research indicates that the physical environment in hospitals can affect patient safety and quality of care. According to more than 1,200 studies conducted in acute care settings, aspects of the physical environment, including noise, light, unit layout, air quality and surface finishes, can contribute to stress, falls, medical errors and nosocomial infections.
"Community health centers provide primary care services to 4 million patients in California each year," said Melissa Schoen, senior program officer at the California HealthCare Foundation. "Yet many operate in outdated facilities, such as offices or residences built for other purposes, which affects patient safety, efficiency and the quality of care.”