As we look back on 2020, we would like to thank our staff, partners, and all team members for their hard work and dedication over this past year. This year has not been easy, but it has been rewarding to be able to contribute our services to the community and work with amazing teams.  We look forward to the coming year and the opportunity to achieve great things together in 2021.

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“Patient centered care needs to include careful consideration of the caregiver work environment.” – Brent Whiteley, Vice-President, Parkin Architects

Medication errors constitute one of the most common types of preventable adverse events leading to patient harm and fatalities in healthcare facilities today. According to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, drug- and fluid-related incidents are the second most common type of adverse healthcare events in Canada.

These errors can occur anywhere along the healthcare process, from initial prescription ordering, dispensing and administration, to the updating of medication records. A combination of social, cognitive, organizational/systems, and environmental factors all contribute to the potential for human error, including worker fatigue, workspace layout, lighting, climate control, and noise levels.

Human error is inevitable, but research over the past 20 years indicates that the design of a healthcare facility’s physical environment can have a significant impact on patient safety and staff performance. By assessing latent environmental conditions that led to human error, designers can develop solutions using evidence-based design principles to deliver more focused and efficient work and patient spaces that support staff and, ultimately, reduce potentially harmful mistakes.

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“Today’s laboratories have to be designed to accommodate an unanticiptable future.” – David Driscoll, Principal, Parkin Architects

Laboratory design has undergone significant changes in recent years. Major breakthroughs in scientific research, combined with an escalating demand for sophisticated analytical equipment, have created new demands on the laboratory environment. It has become increasingly important to design labs that are functionally efficient and readily adaptable to inevitable changes. Laboratory environments must allow laboratory personnel to work as productively, efficiently, and safely as possible. The incorporation of a Lean workflow can be accommodated only if the lab components can be rearranged to allow the improved flow to be realized.

Here are the top trends that Parkin incorporates into its lab designs. Each of these design elements works in tandem to create a more sustainable, creative and welcoming environment for researchers and staff. Read more

In early December of 2019, Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Women’s Hospital began welcoming its first patients. The new 388,500 square foot state-of-the-art facility was designed using best practices for enhanced patient care and efficient workflows. The design features a two-story entrance forecourt, a soaring five-story atrium, and the facility is wrapped with abundant glazing invite natural light, keeping patients, staff, and visitors connected to the outside world.

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In our previous blog post, we explored the history of mental health facility design and the role nature plays in healing. The evidence is clear that a connection with nature helps people recover more quickly and improves long-term health outcomes. Natural environments also enhance employee well-being and may contribute to lower staff turnover. Spending time in or just viewing green spaces can lower our heart rates, reduce muscle tension, and decrease the production of stress hormones.

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Elements of nature have always been used for healing purposes, to help people restore their health both physically and mentally. We’ve all experienced the rejuvenating benefits of nature, and often look to find ways of incorporating it into our everyday life, including within healthcare facilities and hospital design.

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