Healthcare Design - April 2017 - 36

In Focus

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difficulty that he and many veterans face in
their daily lives. Their sharpened reflexes are
constantly assessing potential threats within
the environment and can be hard to switch
off in a non-combat setting. Many southeast
Louisiana veterans are also coping with the
trauma of surviving Hurricane Katrina. Even
veterans not officially diagnosed with PTSD
can find themselves dealing with feelings of
anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
In response to these findings, the team
worked to design spaces and bring in elements
that put patients at ease. Wayfinding was simplified with a central concourse that connects
to every department in the facility. There are no
blind corners, and the staircases are straight,
without switchbacks, to increase visibility. The
inpatient rooms are arranged around an open
staff workspace that feels more like a large,
open office environment than a hallway in an
inpatient unit. The result is a space that provides an enhanced degree of cognitive legibility
and helps reduce anxiety.
testing was conducted and color, interior finish, and furniture suggestions collected, while the VA developed its workflow and processes.
Overall, the research effort included more than 100 veterans, 180 VA
hospital staff from Louisiana (many of whom are veterans themselves),
70 hours of observation, and 600 pages of notes. From these immersive
and interactive activities, the design team distilled several major insights that informed the design priorities of the project, which continued
through the end of 2011.

ABOVE: An illuminated

three-story departmental
seal creates a dramatic
entry focal point. BELOW:
Circular settees outside
a bank of elevators provide an informal place
to sit and socialize.

3. Veteran needs are amplified in unique ways
Veterans and VA staff consistently told us how
veterans' physical, emotional, social, and psychological needs influence the way they interact with their environment. For instance,
while incontinence affects nearly 17 percent
of men over age 60, it's an even bigger issue
among the veteran population, with roughly

INSIGHTS

1. Veteran care is different
The VA treats the veteran patient for a lifetime, focusing on maintaining overall health and wellness, rather than just treating episodic illness. Additionally, there's a feeling of family, service, and welcoming
that patients and their families experience as soon as they step inside a
VA facility.
As a result, one of the core design drivers for this project was to create a sense of belonging and allow space for connection and interaction.
Many veterans find that sharing their story or listening to other veterans
is not only satisfying but helps heal emotional wounds. VA hospitals can
facilitate that healing process by providing spaces where face-to-face
interactions can occur. At the New Orleans facility, flexible furniture arrangements enable all veterans, including those in wheelchairs, to easily
join conversations and feel included. Some seating is arranged in circles
for larger groups, while other areas are designed for smaller or quieter
discussions or alone time.

APRIL 2017

NBBJ/SEAN AIRHART

2. Mental health is more than a department
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects as many as 30 percent
of veterans, compared to 8 percent of the general population. "I have
wounds that nobody can see," one veteran told the team, describing the

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Healthcare Design - April 2017

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