Focus: Facility Design

Covid-19 Could Change Future Hospital Design

New facilities may be designed to accommodate sudden patient surges


Healthcare professionals and designers are already talking about how modern hospital designs could change to avoid a repeat of the current pandemic situation, according to an article on the Milwaukee Independent website.

Modern hospitals often lack the flexibility to accommodate a sudden surge of patients.

The pandemic also has hospital designers and architects discussing the need for touch-free control for lighting, temperature and other building functions.

New hospital designs could also help patients stay connected to friends and family by incorporating widely available technologies such as video chat and virtual reality headsets.

A recent report by an architectural firm  has recommended short- and longterm strategies that will help healthcare systems prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19, according to an article on the D Magazine website.

HKS has urged healthcare facilities to limit entries, improve HVAC systems, compartmentalize spaces and create hot zones. 

Read the full Milwaukee Independent article.



October 9, 2020


Topic Area: Architecture


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