Acuity Adaptability: Key components that bring care to the patient

Second in a series of excerpts from the free executive guide, Acuity Adaptability: Innovative Planning and Design for Responsive Healthcare Delivery.” 

By Mike Zorich and Corey Gaarde 

The most critical component of the acuity adaptability healthcare delivery model is the ability to bring care to the patient rather than bringing the patient to the care. But acuity adaptability places demands not only on the adaptable rooms that are the cornerstone of the design, but also on the healthcare providers and the entire hospital in terms of capability and equipment inventory.  

This demand could necessitate the introduction of portable diagnostic and telemetry equipment, procedural-based care, meds-to-beds, telemedicine, as well as sufficient space to operate the equipment within the care room.  

Important acuity-adaptable components include:  

  • Spacious rooms designed for a variety of functions and the ability to treat patients of varying acuity. This could involve anything from a light renovation to a complete restructuring of the unit to include fewer rooms, depending on the level of adaptability. 
  • Rooms that have everything the patient may need, including various medical gases that might have only been needed in an intensive care unit. Acuity-adaptable rooms may need access to medical air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, and other medical gases. This is in addition to medical equipment, medication administration, IT/ technology, and general supplies. 
  • Technology that is focused on the experience of the patient, their family, and the care team, enabling an engaged and empowered level of care and awareness  
  • Dynamic supply and medication management that maximizes resources while maintaining point-in-time care  
  • A flexible staff able to provide both routine and intensive care as well as specialty care as needed 

In the next blog, we will look at the benefits of acuity-adaptability that make this method of healthcare design so appealing. 

Previous: Acuity Adaptability: Innovative Planning and Design for Responsive Healthcare Delivery

Next: Acuity Adaptability: Benefits to patients, caregivers, and healthcare facilities 

For an unabridged version of this content, download the executive guide, “Acuity Adaptability: Innovative Planning and Design for Responsive Healthcare Delivery.” A recorded webinar on the topic is also available.