We were pleased to sponsor the following presentations on BH design subject matter in March. Below are links to access both webinars via the Center for Health Design site, as well as a general description and our recap of key takeaways for each. Thanks for learning with us!
Design Strategies that Reduce Aggression in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Facilities Webinar description: This webinar shares research and case studies that explore how design can be used as a tool complementing therapeutic protocols to reduce patient stress and aggression on pediatric mental health units. Rather than space acting as a control strategy, a more spatially and socially sensitive environment improves safety by elevating patient dignity. Utilizing a human-centered approach to design, strategies examine both tangible and intangible elements and their relationships to spatial and social density that strengthen staff-patient connections, facilitate innovations, and create a safer place for staff to deliver and children to receive mental health treatment. Access the webinar here.
Stance’s Key Takeaways:
Thank you to webinar presenters, Scott Holmes and Melanie Baumhover for sharing their insights with us!
The Future of the Behavioral Healthcare Care Team Station Webinar description: As the treatment and model of care for inpatient behavioral health continuously evolves, so too should the physical environment in which care is delivered. With a heightened focus on patient dignity, and staff safety, along with improved technology, now is the time to re-think the future of the behavioral health care team station. Taking advantage of the collective knowledge and expertise in attendance, this webinar will offer interdisciplinary perspectives to evaluate current cutting edge design solutions, help attendees to develop solutions of their own, and inspire further research with the aspiration to transform the future of the care team station in inpatient behavioral health settings. Access the webinar here.
Stance’s Key Takeaways: As patient-centered care continues to be a driving principle of modern healthcare design, Behavioral Health team care stations are one impactful way to continue this evolution. Overall, the goal here is to create a station that puts patients in the center, rather than the previous model that places a closed team station in the middle of a room – which has had the unfortunate effect of instilling an “us vs. them” dynamic. The new approach is designed to put patients at ease and on the same level as their care providers, physically and psychologically.
How to put patients in the center of a care station zone?
Areas that inspire a more collaborative, inviting space for patients and care providers to engage include:
Thank you to webinar presenters, Brian Giebink and Stephanie Vito for sharing their insights with us!
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The Story Behind Resilia, our Award-winning Drum Tables Built to LastMonday, March 22, 2021
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Perfect for Behavioral Health facilities, Stance Healthcare’s Resilia Drum Table features a Marmoleum™ surface that makes it extremely durable and easy-to-clean. Combining that with Resilia’s unique appearance, which helps provide an environment that feels overall less institutional, is what makes this award winner ideal for any healthcare setting. The concept behind this standout, highly functional design was years in the making.
Years before healthcare designer, Suzanne Fawley, joined the Stance Healthcare design team, she made an observation that would plant the seed for Resilia. While designing for high-impact medical facilities, Suzanne kept running into a recurring problem that seemed to be a common refrain for many healthcare settings: specifically, they all had a laminate problem. The popular surface material for healthcare furnishings is prone to splitting when worn or punctured, and its sharp edges create potential for immediate safety issues in such environments.
“While working as a designer in a prison hospital, I was concerned with a chair that had a laminate side panel which began to chip and split. In these types of high-impact settings, something like split laminate can quickly become a weapon for self-injury or harm to others,” says Fawley. “I knew there was an opportunity to replace laminate furniture with something safer and more durable, and I began to seek a solution.”
Suzanne began researching alternate materials with durability being top priority. Her first instinct – using a flooring product that withstands daily wear – ultimately led her to Forbo Marmoleum™, the nontoxic, naturally durable and sustainable surface material that would answer the call. In 2016, Suzanne pitched the idea as a new furniture collection to Stance Healthcare’s Bruce and Carl Kennedy, and within a year, Resilia was born.
The Resilia Drum Table’s modern and practical design, in combination with its innovative surface materials, made it a fast award winner: The product took home Healthcare Design’s 2017 Nightingale GOLD Award in the same year it launched. Three years later, the table is a popular seller for the company due to its winning combination of long-term durability and pleasing aesthetics.
“Resilia is a completely different take on the industry status quo for these types of tables, which are still typically just laminate weighted cylinders,” says Fawley. “For healthcare facilities, you can’t find a better quality investment for your space, as this is a product that will stand the test of time. Resilia is the most durable, cleanable drum table available – and most importantly, that translates to safer environments for the users it serves.”
Resilia is available in 10 different size selections, including two oval options released in 2020.
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The Nuance of Behavioral Health Design: Why and Who are We Designing For?Thursday, March 18, 2021
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Behavioral Health design insights from Stance’s BH Interior Designer, Suzanne Fawley
For interior designers and facility planners, the differences between Behavioral Health (BH) interior design and general healthcare design must be considered first when beginning a BH project. With a solid understanding of a project’s why – i.e., why must this project be treated differently than a general healthcare space, and why is a patient, visitor, or care provider going to be here? – we can then explore and apply the multi-faceted criteria needed to successfully design for Behavioral Health, ultimately best serving the end-user.
Comfort Mentally and Comfort Physically: Designing for BH starts by understanding the difference Why are there differences in BH and general healthcare design? Typically, general healthcare design decisions must consider the masses – the influx of people in and out of medical settings for a variety of reasons. With Behavioral Health design, however, the designer must begin with a deeper and more acute understanding of the characteristics of and differences in two major differentiating points of design emphasis: Comfort Mentally and Comfort Physically. Considering both of these in tandem means prioritizing the dignity of the patient.
Connecting Comfort to Dignity I participated in a bariatric research study years ago, where I met with over 60 bariatric candidates that averaged 100 pounds over their ideal body weight. For the morbidly obese, most also suffer from depression. One of their stories has resonated with me throughout my career. Emotionally, they shared that the most hurtful of their experiences is when the scale in a typical medical office building would be out in the hallway for all to see. When the scale would not register past 400 pounds, they were asked to go to their local Feed and Seed store to be weighed. In this case, their dignity was not considered at all.
Here is the point: Even the most beautiful, safe, functional facility will not repair the damage that was done emotionally. Though design for general healthcare benefits from this introspection early in the process, in no instance is this more important than when designing for Behavioral Health treatment facilities. Most notably, the subtle nuances of each Behavioral Health facility will define the specific needs for each environment, as one size does not fit all for BH. General healthcare and BH spaces do, however, share the goal of creating a safe, durable and comfortable experience for the patient, caregiver and patient support.
Mapping out your BH project: A Blueprint about Whom? As a former Interior Design Manager for a large architectural firm, I can attest that interior designers are often given a healthcare project without ever meeting the client or interacting with the end-users of a space, including patients, visitors, and care providers. Pushing out projects can almost be factory-like, just getting the project done. However, understanding the who before you begin a Behavioral Health project is the difference between a “purposefully designed” BH environment and one that is based on what is assumed to be BH appropriate.
Along these lines, below are a few framework thoughts to consider when planning a Behavioral Health project.
Building Blocks for Designing a BH Space
As Stance’s Behavioral Health Interior Designer, what makes my role fun and fulfilling is assisting designers and facility managers. My goal is to encourage them to enjoy the process of Behavioral Health Design by helping them make appropriate selections that lead to facilities that are safe, comfortable, functional and most of all, consider the dignity of the guests.
Learn more about the history and motivations behind Behavioral Health design by attending Suzanne’s IDCEC accredited CEU, Behavioral Health Design: Learning from the Past to Design for the Future, sponsored by Stance Healthcare. Contact sawyer.l@stancehealthcare.com today to inquire about your group course, worth 1.5 IDCEC credits per participant. |
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Project Profile – Jonas Hill Hospital and ClinicThursday, September 17, 2020
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Originally intended to be housed within Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Jonas Hill Hospital and Clinic is a 27-bed stand-alone facility providing adult inpatient and outpatient psychiatric healthcare.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• Comfortable individual lounge pieces used in the group consult rooms to provide comfort and flexibility instead of more typical clinical side chairs
INTERIOR FURNITURE DESIGN: Suzanne Phillips Fawley, IDS Stance Healthcare Behavioral Health Design Specialist
ARCHITECT: CPL Charlotte, NC
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Behavioral Health Design Virtual Workshop – September 23rd, 2020Tuesday, September 15, 2020
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As pioneers in designing furniture for mental and behavioral health, we are proud sponsors of the Center for Health Design’s virtual full-day workshop focused on innovative and effective design strategies that support behavioral health populations. On September 23rd the workshop will begin with a keynote on the State of Practice in Behavioral Health Care and Design, followed by discussions on safety, whole-person health, and getting outside! It’s going to be a great day of information and will also include the opportunity to virtually mix and mingle with other attendees.
For more information, or to register for the event, visit https://www.healthdesign.org/events/264 |
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Behavioral Health Webinar Day – July 30th, 2020Thursday, July 16, 2020
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In partnership with The Center for Health Design, we’re thrilled to offer 2 free behavioral health educational opportunities at the end of this month.
Webinar 1
Webinar 2
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Designing for Behavioral Health: Terminology, dignity, and minimizing distractionThursday, March 12, 2020
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Stance Healthcare was proud to co-sponsor a recent webinar from The Center for Health Design on designing for Behavioral Health settings. In addition to providing timely insight into the many considerations that go into Behavioral Health facility planning, the presentation reinforced much of the “why” behind what we do to support these environments with our furniture. Below are key takeaways connecting to our Behavioral Health design approach here at Stance Healthcare:
In this time of growing demand for Mental and Behavioral Health treatment environments, we are always appreciative of the opportunity to discuss best practices. Stay tuned to Stance Healthcare’s social media and blog for continued insights and BH product announcements throughout the year. |
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Stance Healthcare Expands Award-Winning Behavioral Health CollectionThursday, February 13, 2020
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Frontier collection adds desk, shelving to innovative line designed to support dignity, healing
TORONTO, ON (February 13, 2020) – Stance Healthcare, a furniture designer and manufacturer specializing in Behavioral Health spaces, has added two new products to their award-winning Frontier collection. The acclaimed product line now includes two shelving units and desk, in addition to the 2019 Nightingale Gold Award-winning bed and bedside table. The latest offerings are available for purchase Thursday, February 13.
These new products continue the Stance Healthcare collection’s signature emphasis on durability with a comforting aesthetic. As with the bed and flip-style, multi-use bedside table, the bookshelf and desk were developed with a goal of “realistic functionality” that prioritizes safety. The rotationally-molded products feature rounded corners and are manufactured with naturally pick-proof materials for patients experiencing Behavioral Health treatment.
“With a variety of care modules evolving for Behavioral Health, yesterday’s one-size-fits-all approach to interior design no longer works. The various areas of the facility must be treated independently,” said Suzanne Fawley, Stance Healthcare’s Behavioral Health interior designer who developed the Frontier line with the company. “The Frontier line supports each patient’s specific treatment experience, making the caretaking process easier, cleaner, and less interruptive – while offering a less clinical, more residential feel.”
In addition to the new desk, the line expansion offers both two-shelf and three-shelf wall mount unit options. The design style behind the shelving follows that of the award-winning Frontier collection: They accommodate patients’ specific needs, per treatment need and length of stay. The two-shelf option offers patients convenient storage for journaling or coloring book therapy, or alternately as clothing storage for a short-term stay. The three-shelf option can accommodate approved personal and expanded clothing items for a longer period of stay. Both options offer a pleasing aesthetic which eliminates visual clutter, thus supporting a quiet environment for Behavioral Health patients in treatment.
“As pioneers in Behavioral Health design, Stance Healthcare innovates award-winning products that prioritize dignity in the treatment process, improving the quality of healthcare experiences for patients, visitors, and caregivers,” said Carl Kennedy, Stance Healthcare’s president. “We are proud of the way our Frontier collection addresses these unique needs and are looking forward to offering even more furniture options with the shelving and desk additions.”
Stance Healthcare’s Behavioral Health products, including the Frontier collection, support the evolving demand for increased Mental & Behavioral Health treatment facilities across the U.S. The Frontier shelving and desks are available to purchase by calling Stance Healthcare customer service at 1-877-395-2623 beginning February 13. |
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Christy Evangelista 8 April 8, 2021 |