Academy of Architecture for Health

I know of the research around reducing HAI's in single bed rooms but am looking for any specific info/research around the benefits of multi bed rooms for spinal rehab facilities.  Any help or direction would be appreciated.

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Roger Call AIA, ACHA, LEED AP
Herman Miller
Zeeland MI
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Roger:

As part of the development of an acute rehabilitation center of excellence around five years ago, we visited several 'best of breed' rehabilitation centers and talked with several rehab consultants.  In almost all instances, these facilities and experts felt that there is a definitie advantage in terms of morale and teamwork of having semi-private environments for spinal injury patients.  Remember that in these environments that patients are medically stable and therefore the risk of HAI's is not as great.  The major element to remember is that a typical semi-private room will likely not be large enough to accommodate specialized beds and mobility devices and allow for reasonable (and ADA compliant) access for these type of patients. 

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Dan Conwell, AIA
Director - Planning, Architecture & Design
Sutter Health
Sacramento CA
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Roger, you might want to look at the VA Guidelines for SCI facilities. http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/dGuide/dgSCIDC01.pdf

They do address the advantages/disadvantages of single and semi-private rooms.

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Joan Suchomel AIA
Skidmore Owings & Merrill, LLP
Chicago IL
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