The physical design of an ED and technologies that are adopted can have dramatic impacts on patient flow, satisfaction and safety, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Technologies include patient tracking boards, registration kiosks and real-time patient locating systems.
It is important that facilities managers work with architects to maximize line-of-sight between the staff and patients as well as visitors in the ED waiting areas, the article said.
Providing a transparent boundary between the ED proper and the waiting area is one strategy.
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