WHC Emergency Front End Renovation

The Washington Hospital Center Emergency Department Front End, which opened in January of 2010, is a continuation of the Bridge to ER One Project, completed two years prior.  Both are Pebble research projects: the Bridge to ER One focuses on patient care and staff workflow, specifically in areas including infection control, multi-configurable patient rooms, instant staff access to all patient data, and advanced security; the Front End centers on patient and visitor perceived wait times and the implementation of positive distractions to positively affect those perceptions.

The design attempts to achieve these positive outcomes by enhancing the patient’s contact with nature, providing access to information, increasing infection protection and staff efficiency, and creating an overall beautiful and de-stimulating environment.  The natural color palette with grounding neutrals, accents of soft greens, watery blues and teals and rich purples were extended from the ED Bridge into the Front End waiting room.  These soothing colors and textures, along with fractal design, color kinetic lighting, and interactive video displays provide entertainment and relieve stress.

With the completion of post-occupancy observations and patient and staff satisfaction surveys, we can gather data and establish research and evidence that supports the use of these innovative design details.  With the patient as the top priority, we aim to significantly improve the waiting experience through the design of beautifully healing environments.