Discharge lounges are an effective solution for managing the overflow and congestion often experienced in hospital emergency departments (EDs). They are uncommon in most systems, but in conversation with clients, they have been found to be invaluable for space-constrained treatment bays or urban hospitals.

Why invest in a discharge lounge? Explore our thoughts below. 

With so much retail space going vacant across the country, many healthcare systems are taking advantage of the reduced rental costs of these spaces to locate clinics away from their hospital campus, and closer to the patients they serve. Tenant-improved retail space for primary care also offer long-term benefits: lower rents, adjacencies to other community services and businesses, and strong brand recognition due to locations near busy thoroughfares or on public transportation lines. 

However, these conversions require careful planning with an understanding of how to blend both efficient clinic design with the nuances common to retail space. When transforming a commercial space into a healthcare outpost, HED has identified three critical categories to not only save design time and costs but to maximize the return on your investment over the long-term. Take a look below. 

Biophilia, meaning love of nature, can be utilized beyond potted plants in healthcare facilities. Design elements such as natural light, green walls, the incorporation of water, organic patterns, natural textures, and non-porous natural materials are all common biophilic elements that can be featured to help promote wellness. 

Due to this, biophilic design has quickly been adopted within healthcare facilities to allow patients to connect with nature, adding a natural healing element to their everyday care. HED has developed several ways hospitals and other healthcare facilities can use biophilic design within their interior and exterior spaces, explore our insights below.