A Positive Effect
The current nursing ward is not designed to promote patient activity. This issue has been the starting point for the reactivating research conducted by Gortemaker Algra Feenstra. We investigated how spatial interventions can positively impact the reactivation of patients in the ward. With the ‘Reactivating Hospital,’ we offer patients a more active hospital stay that is not solely focused on “lying in bed.” Our design concept introduces not a new type of movement, but an unconscious, daily, and normal form of activity.
The patient is encouraged to engage both mind and body through a completely different daily schedule and organization of the floor plan. The daily rhythm and strengthening of the patient are central to this concept. The rhythm of the design concept revolves around 8 hours of activity, 8 hours of relaxation, and 8 hours of sleep. This will not only signify a total transformation of the spatial environment in hospitals but will also require a change in behavior and processes. The spatial environment can subtly address the problem at its source.
We have already implemented the reactivating hospital concept in three existing locations, such as the Geriatrics department at Diakonessenhuis in Zeist, Gelderse Vallei in Ede, and Diakonessenhuis in Utrecht. At Rijnstate Hospital, we are incorporating the reactivating hospital concept into the new design for the departments.
