Design for Critical Care: An Evidence-Based Approach

It is now widely recognized that the physical environment has an impact on the physiology,
psychology, and sociology of those who experience it. When designing a critical care unit,
the demands on the architect or designer working together with the interdisciplinary team
of clinicians are highly specialized. Good design can have a hugely positive impact in terms of the recovery of patients and their hospital experience as a whole. Good design can also contribute to productivity and quality of the work experience for the staff.

Design for Critical Care presents a thorough and insightful guide to the very best practice
in intensive care design, focusing on design that has been successful and benefi cial to both
hospital staff and hospital patients. By making the connection between research evidence and design practice, Hamilton and McCuskey Shepley present an holistic approach that outlines the future for successful design for critical care settings.

D. Kirk Hamilton is a director emeritus for the Center for Health Design, a fellow of the Center for Health Systems and Design, professor of architecture at Texas A and M University, and a founding principal of Emeritus, WHR Architects.

Mardelle McCuskey Shepley is director of the Center for Health Systems and Design and the William M. Pena professor of architecture at Texas A and M University.