Health outcomes driving new hospital design

In many new hospitals and pavilions, single-patient rooms are now viewed as an important element of high-quality healthcare. The benefits of the single room emerged through evidence-based hospital design. More than 1,500 studies have examined ways that design can reduce medical errors, infections and falls—and relieve patient stress. Besides privacy, research shows that single rooms reduce infections and patient stress, and improve sleep. In 2006, the American Institute of Architects called for single rooms in all new hospital construction.