Are Hospitals Designed to Make You Sicker?

Hospitals are supposed to be sanctuaries for healing. When you go in for treatment, you expect that the facility will be adequately designed and maintained for the provision of quality medical care. However, a recent article in the New York Times is questioning whether or not hospitals are effectively designed to promote healing. From risk-enhancing room sizes to inefficient floor layouts, some medical professionals assert that poor hospital design is actually making patients sicker rather than helping them  heal.

It is not uncommon for patients to become increasingly ill after being admitted to a hospital. These injuries can be caused by some form of medical negligence, such as surgical or medication errors, but Dhruv Khullar, M.D., the author of the Times article, believes that poor hospital design may also work against the healing process.

Hospital acquired infections occur far too frequently

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are illnesses that patients contract while under the medical care of a hospital or treatment facility. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 25% of all hospitalized patients become infected with some form of hospital acquired infection. This staggering percentage demonstrates the enormity of this problem within the hospital industry. Dr. Khullar believes that the tendency of hospitals to house patients in close quarters exacerbates the issue. Several medical studies have concluded that private rooms effectively lower the spread of airborne infections and those transmitted through touch. While administrators argue that private rooms are too costly for their limited budgets, other studies suggest that the higher costs are offset by monetary savings from fewer HAI occurrences.

Falls pose great risks for patients with already compromised health

Falls are another major problem within the hospital environment. A recent study found that hundreds of thousands of patients fall in American hospitals every year. Of those incidents, up to 50% result in serious injury. Dr. Khullar attributes these occurrences to several factors, including:

• Poorly lit areas
• Slippery floors
• Toilets that sit too high or too low
• Nursing stations placed too far from patient rooms

Each of these hospital impediments could be corrected with proper design and patient-centered planning.

Excessive noise in hospitals impairs healing

Noise is another area of concern raised by Dr. Khullar. Rest is an integral part of the healing process, but many patients are unable to sleep due to the unreasonable levels of noise within the average hospital setting. The World Health Organization suggests a healthy noise level of no higher than 30 dB, but studies show that noise levels within the average hospital can more than double that recommendation. The result can keep patients from receiving the amount of rest they need to heal. The medical community widely embraces sleep as a crucial part of the healing process, necessary for the promotion of healing and fighting off infection. Yet hospitals are not designed to advance adequate rest and recuperation.

If you were injured while hospitalized, trust the experienced Memphis medical malpractice attorneys at Bailey & Greer to handle your case. The lawyers of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, pride themselves in providing quality legal representation to the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call our office at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.