[Single-patient rooms]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare architecture
• Patient safety research
• Hospital design

Context:

• Danish government initiative to replace 50% of hospital buildings.
• Ongoing debate regarding the implementation of single-patient rooms.
• Need for evidence-based design in new hospital facilities.

Purpose:

• To review the literature on the impact of single-patient rooms on patient safety.
• To identify methods for risk assessment in hospital design.
• To propose revisions to the acuity adaptability model.

Summary:

• Single-patient rooms demonstrably enhance patient safety.
• Patient Safety Leadership Walkrounds and failure modes and effects analysis are valuable tools for proactive risk identification.
• The acuity adaptability model requires updating to reflect current healthcare needs.

Impact:

• Informs architectural design decisions for future hospitals.
• Contributes to improving patient safety standards in healthcare settings.
• Provides a framework for risk management in hospital construction projects.