Session Detail

This session investigates how the built environment supports or inhibits staff communication and teamwork through the exploration of the Indiana University Health West Vertical Expansion project, post-occupancy. Communication lapses are a root cause of medical errors. Conversely, teamwork between clinicians improves care quality, moderates’ safety lapses, and results in improved patient outcomes. In healthcare environments, face-to-face communication may be of relevance as it supports the impromptu forms of communication that are important when dealing with emergent, critical conditions. We evaluate how the patient unit impacts patterns of staff communication and teamwork on two distinctly different units with the exact same footprint within the same building. We will also demonstrate how the incorporation of acuity adaptable rooms impacts staff work while maintaining flexibility.