Rethinking Design for Looming Behavioral Health Pandemic

Systems should plan now to integrate best practices in design so physical spaces can support patients

By By Dan Hounsell


What hasn’t changed in healthcare facilities in the last year? Nothing, that’s what. Facility managers have had to reassess and likely upgrade nearly every component, material and piece of equipment in emergency rooms, intensive care units and other patient care areas to effectively treat the influx of patients with COVID-19.

But far less attention has been paid to the shadow behavioral health pandemic, according to Forbes. That’s why healthcare systems should start planning now to integrate best practices in design so the physical spaces are well-equipped to provide patients with the support they need. 

How will healthcare design teams proactively respond to the pending surge in behavioral healthcare needs? One idea is to adapt the flexible field hospital approach that allowed us to significantly expand care capacity at the height of the pandemic for use in behavioral health care delivery. By leveraging the latest innovations in pre-fabricated and pop up architecture, organizations could deploy community-responsive and integrated behavioral health clinics in and near schools, workplaces, retail spaces and places of worship.



April 12, 2021


Topic Area: Interior Design


Recent Posts

ISSA Introduces Healthcare Platform to Advance Safer, Cleaner Patient Environments

This new resource integrates training, research and cross-sector collaboration to raise care standards and improve patient outcomes.


Third-Party Tracking Settlement is a Compliance Wake-Up Call for Healthcare Facilities Managers

Mount Sinai Health System agrees to a $5.3 million settlement to resolve claims it improperly shared patient data with Facebook through tracking tools.


ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Facility

The new facility features 144 beds and a healing environment for behavioral health patients.


Aspire Rural Health System Reports Data Security Incident

Upon detecting the unauthorized activity, Aspire immediately worked to contain the incident and launched a thorough investigation.


Fatal Flaws: Strategies for Active Attackers

Anything that goes wrong with the response is the liability exposure of the organization — not the employee and not the police.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.