Behavioral design strategies

Beginning any behavioral health project takes a unique frame of reference that allows designers to understand that the environment of care is a critical component of the patient care plan. A truly successful project is one that provides patient and staff safety, along with a pleasant environment that provides patient privacy, dignity and respect. Emergency departments (EDs) are unique environments of care when it comes to behavioral health needs. They provide acute care without a prior appointment, so prediction of when, or if, care for a behavioral health patient will be needed, is not possible. The patient type also can vary widely. Patients can present with acute care needs that must be stabilized but also have a range of emotional, mental or substance misuse issues. Prediction of the case load and patient type makes it hard to determine how prepared a department should be. However, one thing is certain, behavioral health cases in the ED are on the rise.