Earlier this month, at the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, we explored the next generation of health facility design and the ways it will change how we experience patient care and its delivery.

The term “hospitality” is everywhere, but what are we saying about hospitality in healthcare? It’s more than a coffee bar and a comfortable break room; it’s a welcoming and caring culture for others.

The idea of relationship-based hospitality relies on physical and mental safety, universal design, and respectful interactions, which all start with leadership. A strong admin team hosts the entire staff; the staff hosts the patients, and the patients can host visitors. Consistent and positive human interaction has an impact on healing for many patients.

Intereum specializes in healthcare applications and settings, and as a MillerKnoll Certified Dealer, offers a range of research-driven products tailored to meet the diverse needs of guests and caretakers. From waiting rooms designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities, fostering a sense of belonging, to patient rooms featuring versatile seating for family members, these solutions prioritize comfort and inclusivity. The additional seating enhances the patient experience and creates a welcoming space for support networks.

For care providers, MillerKnoll recognizes the importance of adaptable storage and moments of privacy. By optimizing material management systems that can be adjusted as needed, healthcare teams can maintain efficiency. Breaks and alone time are crucial in avoiding burnout and hostility towards work, so providing spaces for health professionals to decompress or connect with their colleagues is essential.

These thoughtful design changes will transform the healthcare industry, offering improved relationships, comfort, and well-being for patients and care providers.

Want to know how different spaces define the roles of host and guest? Take a peek at the different spaces we explored at HCD:

Welcome & Reception:

Welcome and reception areas play a crucial role in shaping the patient experience, reflecting a commitment to elevated care. With this design approach, we anticipate the needs of patients, staff, and guests, prioritizing staff well-being.

By seamlessly combining aesthetics and functionality, the spaces provides a warm welcome to guests while serving as an efficient and supportive workspace for staff.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Host + Guest
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest

Traditional Waiting Area

Traditional waiting areas are strategically located near patient rooms for a high-use, 24/7 inpatient setting. Featuring pieces that provide comfort and inclusivity, this insight addresses feedback from the Cleveland Clinic by avoiding back-to-back seating. Intentional planters are also placed create space between furniture and enhance the waiting experience, with natural elements also promoting wellness.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Host
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest

Boutique Waiting Area

Boutique Waiting environments are designed for a specialty outpatient setting, prioritizes aesthetic appeal over high performance demands. The use of healthcare-appropriate materials ensures cleanliness and in a competitive healthcare landscape, the non-clinical aesthetic aims to distinguish organizations and earn patient preference. The space also emphasizes a warm and comfortable aesthetic to reduce stress and convey a clean and safe environment for high-quality care.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Host
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest

Exam Rooms

Our exam environments prioritize aesthetics, safety, performance, and flexibility, aiming to create a welcoming and appealing experience. Embracing hospitality design principles, the setting encourages intimate, eye-level conversations to foster trust between patients and providers, elevating the overall experience.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Guest/Host
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest

Respite/Consult Space

Staff respite spaces are especially important for maintaining peak performance, allowing staff to retreat and rejuvenate in close proximity to work.

This versatile space serves as both a Staff Respite Room, providing a place for individuals or small groups to rest and share conversations with food or beverage, and a Consult Room for healthcare providers and patients to have peaceful consultations or discuss sensitive information.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Guest/Host
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest

Patient Room

Patient rooms play a crucial role in the healing process by accommodating families and visitors, reassuring patients that their support network is considered. The design prioritizes giving patients and their support persons control over their environment, improving care outcomes.

This design approach aligns with the perception that when providers sit down, patients and support persons feel the visit is 20-30% longer than it actually is.

Guest/Host Dynamics:
Administration: Host
Staff: Guest/Host
Patient, Support Person, Visitor: Guest/Host

Hospitality at HCD