Susan O’Hara
Senior Associate, Clinical Innovations Leader, Research & Evidence Based DesignNBBJDr. Susan O’Hara, nurse scientist, is NBBJ’s clinical innovation leader for research and evidence-based design. Her research and practice focus on innovation, staff wellbeing, and healthcare adaptations to space with national and international presentations on various healthcare built environments, cocreating a scale measuring innovation, and healthcare staff burnout and stress.
E32 – Design That Works: Art, Light, and Space to Activate Movement in Care Delivery
Healthcare environments often include art, daylight, & views of nature, yet these elements are rarely operationalized as a systematic part of pati…Healthcare environments often include art, daylight, & views of nature, yet these elements are rarely operationalized as a systematic part of patient treatment or staff workflows. It is also commonly assumed that such interventions have universal…Healthcare environments often include art, daylight, & views of nature, yet these elements are rarely operationalized as a systematic part of patient treatment or staff workflows. It is also commonly assumed that such interventions have universal positive impacts across patient populations. This multi-site, multi-population, comparative post-occupancy study reframes design interventions as active clinical systems - design as care plan. Compa…Healthcare environments often include art, daylight, & views of nature, yet these elements are rarely operationalized as a systematic part of patient treatment or staff workflows. It is also commonly assumed that such interventions have universal positive impacts across patient populations. This multi-site, multi-population, comparative post-occupancy study reframes design interventions as active clinical systems - design as care plan. Comparing existing medical and surgical oncology units with new inpatient units at Oregon Health and Science University, the study uses a mixed-methods approach to study patients and interdisciplinary staff, using observation, focus groups and surveys, movement tracking, & space syntax analysis. Rather than focusing solely on reactions to design features, the research examines how different populations strategically use the environment when staff are trained to deploy space as a clinical tool. High-impact interventions, including full-scale commissioned murals, full-height window walls, community-building social and activity spaces, & visitor support and respite spaces, inspire motivation, ambulation, autonomy, & recovery. Unlike conventional POEs which validate design intent, these findings will translate directly into staff training modules and treatment protocols, evaluating transferability across patient populations. For healthcare designers and operators, this work offers a measurable, scalable model for activating design to improve outcomes, experience, & performance, moving beyond validation toward transformation. Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
