Challenging the culture of caring of 100 years: the evidence behind single-room provision in hospitals

Abstract

Single-room accommodation in hospitals divides the opinions of both healthcare professionals and patients alike. While some hail this change as a benchmark for quality and flexible healthcare provision, others view the move from cohorted bays to isolated single rooms as an impedance to effective work practices and even risking patient safety. This article will present the evidence surrounding single-room infrastructure redesign, with particular reference to staffing, patient preference and overall care delivery. It also introduces the single room as an example of adaptable and flexible healthcare infrastructure, vital to creating health architecture fit for the 21st century.