A hospital room is a space designed to house patients and medical staff. A typical hospital room contains a bed for the patient, medical monitoring equipment and supplies, and a television for entertainment. Hospitals strive to provide comfortable and safe spaces for patients. They use design elements that are influenced by clinical and hospitality standards to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and conducive to healing.

A recent study by BU assistant professor of hospitality marketing Makarand Mody and her team found that when participants were shown 40 custom-designed renderings of hospital rooms with various combinations of hotel amenities, they preferred those with modern interior design, hospital-trained staff, and a TV. They also ranked high-quality bedding at the top of their list.

Researchers tested three groups of hospital employees – physicians, nurses, and technical/administrative staff – looking at photos of actual hospital rooms from various healthcare facilities around the country. Each group was asked to rank the photos based on their perceived value of the rooms. Those who were healthcare providers were asked to rank the rooms based on whether they felt they were clean, whether they had comfortable furniture and fixtures, and whether they felt the hospital was well-run. Then the rankers were asked to compare their ratings of the four most and least desirable hospitals, with those rankings being based on the photos they viewed.

For patients, the most important factor in a hospital room is safety. It’s crucial that hospital staff can respond quickly to patient emergencies and that they have the tools and technology they need to care for patients effectively. This includes having a clear line of sight to patient rooms from the nurse’s station, which requires unobstructed paths in and out of patient rooms.

The second most important feature in a hospital room is the cleanliness and comfort of the room. Keeping patient rooms clean is essential to preventing the spread of infections. A good place to start is ensuring that the hospital’s standard cleaning protocols are followed. Using antibacterial wipes, keeping the surfaces and fixtures clean, and disinfecting equipment regularly are all important components of keeping rooms clean.

Another way to keep patient rooms clean is by incorporating the right lighting. Varied lighting helps reduce the amount of dust in a room and can help support patients’ circadian rhythms. Similarly, a quiet HVAC system and white noise sound-masking systems can reduce the amount of background noise that disrupts sleep. Additionally, windows that allow for plenty of daylight can make a room feel bigger and more inviting. All these design elements can make a huge difference in a patient’s experience and their recovery. To learn more about designing for patient satisfaction, download our free whitepaper.