January 2014
Presenting the Case: Lecterns and Sound Systems for Health Care Settings
Hospitals are unique institutions. Far more than just buildings where doctors treat patients, hospitals and other health care facilities are microcosm communities with sectors dedicated to education, business, entertainment and even spiritual functions.
When a Chair Becomes a Toilet: Why the People Are More Important Than the Mock-up
Mock-ups can provide an undeniable value to teams designing new health care spaces. Repetitive project elements are excellent candidates for careful testing before significant time and money is spent on construction.
Sutter Davis Hospital Receives Presidential Award
DAVIS, Calif. — Sutter Davis Hospital (SDH) became the smallest hospital to be awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a presidential award presented annually to just three organizations that have demonstrated quality and performance excellence. The 48-bed acute care hospital, which provides medical-surgical, intensive care, birthing emergency care and surgical services, was a 2013 award recipient.
Pet Therapy Building Helps Heal Children of Cincinnati
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Children’s Hospital opened a specialized building to promote the facility’s pet therapy program — a first of its kind in the U.S.
Designed by locally based GBBN Architects, the 250-square-foot, three-sided building creates a dedicated space for family pets to come visit their beloved young owners while at the hospital. Currently, cats and dogs are able to visit children whose stays are longer than five days.
Jeff Stouffer
HKS Healthcare Group, the health care practice of HKS Inc., named Jeff Stouffer, AIA, director. Stouffer has 27 years of experience in designing health care facilities in the U.S. and abroad. As the practice leader for academic and pediatric health facilities, he was responsible for master planning, programming and design of regional and national projects totaling more than $10 billion in construction.
Wheelchair Lift
Butler Mobility Products has announced the new Vertical Platform Wheelchair Lifts. The safe and economical solution may be used indoors or outdoors and is a practical alternative to installing slow grade ramps, according to the company. The new residential wheelchair lift applies some of the same features and design concepts used in previous products including the Inclined Platform Lift.
Video Wall Mount
Peerlees-AV, a manufacturer of digital signage wall mounts, announced the DS-VWM770, the audiovisual industry’s first universal mosaic wall mount ideal for health care applications, according to the company. The new video wall mounts have the ability to pivot in any direction from zero to 360 degrees. Displays are attached to the mount in 15-degree increments with 10 points of micro-adjustment for seamless video wall appearance. The mount can extend from the wall and pivot for quick and convenient rear display access.
Hospital Gowns
The innovative hospital gowns from PatientStyle provide comfort to patients while not limiting accessibility for physicians. An alternative to the traditional hospital gown, PatientStyle can accommodate a wide range of patients with varying medical needs. For example, the PatientStyle Nursing Gown features hidden flaps and a center slit to allow easy access for the nursing infant while providing privacy to new mothers. PatientStyle’s Tie Gowns feature a wrap-around design for an easy and comfortable experience without sacrificing functionality, according to the company.
Ceiling Finishes
Ideal for lobby and reception areas, Armstrong World Industries expanded its line of MetalWorks 3D ceiling products to include wood-look visuals. Finishes are now offered in rock maple, light cherry and wild cherry, bringing the warmth of wood to the 3-D metal ceilings. Armstrong is currently the only company offering the metal ceiling panels in standard wood looks, according to he company. MetalWorks ceiling panels are available in 1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch and 4-inch panel heights and a perforated option is available for acoustics. Ceiling products are easily washable and soil-resistant.