Does One Size Fit All?

Increasingly recognised as an industry standard in the US, in other areas of the world the jury is still out on the 100% single patient room model of care.

In the Canadian system, existing hospital wards contain an assortment of patient room types, including private, shared and the four-person ward room. But As the US moves towards a private room healthcare model for new construction, does ‘one size’ fit all? Before this design guideline becomes the industry standard, we must consider the issue from both a medical and a design perspective. Are private rooms beneficial for all patient populations? Will this design concept alter important psychological and social aspects which accompany the process of illness and healing? How will this change the experience of hospitalization?

Read several expert opinions that consider when, where and for whom single patient rooms are appropriate.