Biophilic Design in Hospital Rooms - Further Research & Evidence

Through my research, I have collected the quotes and information below in order to simply support the direction of my project, whilst acting to remind myself of how powerful biophilic design within hospital rooms can be. The findings and statistics below are just a few of many that I will continue to add here, as and when I come across them in order to continue the support for biophilic design within healthcare. If the addition of plants and flowers to hospital rooms is of such extreme benefit, then why are they not almost compulsorily considered within hospital designs? It has become more common for hospitals to add roof gardens or small courtyard areas where possible, but is this enough? Understandably, biophilic design is not necessarily the easiest to construct and tend to, especially within a hospital, however if the struggles regarding recovery time, pain medication, stress, fatigue and decreasing staff morale can be significantly reduced by the incorporation of plants and flowers, then I strongly believe it is more than worth the short-term hassle. This, a long with my interest in interior design are reasons I will be facing my project in the direction of producing a biophilic design installation for a patients room within the hospital. Briefly, I considered corresponding rooms such as a waiting room where there may be a need for reducing stress, however this is not necessarily the main area of concern where comparing to the need of recovering hospital patients.

"Patients in the plant room viewed 12 foliage and flowering plants during their postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalisation, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety and fatigue..." "Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly shorter hospitalisations, fewer intakes of analgesics, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their rooms when compared with patients in the control group. Findings of this research suggest the therapeutic value of plants in the hospital environment as an effective complementary medicine for surgical patients." - Therapeutic Influences of Plants in Hospital Rooms on Surgical Recovery

"Likewise, hospital staff members benefit from the added greenery resulting in employee burnout decreasing, ultimately improving staff morale through a beautified and healthier work environment."

"Plants naturally filter the air of harmful chemicals and other toxins. Plants in hospitals can also combat SBS (sick building syndrome), boost humidity levels which decrease cough-inducing dry air."

"Rooms filled with plants were shown to have 50%-60% fewer molds and bacteria in the air than in rooms devoid of plants." - Health Benefits of Plants In Hospitals written by Stephen E. Doyle

"The outdoors brings with it a positive energy and recharging influence that enhances wellness and encourages health. Sick individuals who end up in the sterile, impersonal confines of the hospital may benefit greatly from plants with healing energy."

"Plants with healing qualities are often enhanced when they are accompanied by unique form, flowering and scent. Scent is an especially appealing aspect when bed ridden but be cautious of any allergies or asthma the patient might experience. The last thing you want is to make their condition any worse but, fortunately, there are numerous plants with healing energy from which to choose." - Gardening Know How: Plants With Healing Energy – Benefits Of Indoor Plants In Hospitals