S2 E5 – Surfaces in Health Care Settings + Evidence-Based Design 

Introduction

This episode of Between the Lines with FGI focuses on optimizing surface materials in health care and residential care design. Cohosts John Williams and Bridget McDougall discuss the importance of surface materials in health care settings with Laurie Waggener, the Director of Research for Healthcare at Page. Laurie explains her role in ensuring evidence-based architectural processes and shares insights on the impact of surface materials on patient care, including durability, maintenance, and safety. The discussion also covers the use of UVC radiation for disinfection, the importance of consensus decisions with clients, and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced surface testing. The conversation underscores the need for materials that balance aesthetics, functionality, and safety in health care environments. 

About Laurie Waggener 

Laurie Waggener, RRT, IIDA, CHID, EDAC, has a background in clinical leadership, interior design, and design research which enables her to integrate knowledge-driven design solutions for multiple service lines and highly complex clinical workplace settings. As Director of Research for Healthcare at Page, Laurie leads the firm’s efforts in applied evidence-based health care design strategies, using multiple methods to measure impact and to drive innovation. Laurie collaborates closely with clients and academia regarding methodology, best practices, and outcomes regarding crucial industry concerns. Laurie serves as a member of FGI’s Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC), is a founding member of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID), and is a member of the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD). As an interior designer, Laurie’s project design awards included Modern Healthcare Merit of Excellence, Healthcare Symposium User Centered award, and an AIA commendation for Healthcare Interiors. As a design researcher, awards include several Center for Healthcare Design Touchstone Awards. Before entering the design industry, Laurie served as technical director for respiratory critical care in a 520-bed hospital. 

 

Acronyms Mentioned 

FGI: Facility Guidelines Institute 

UV: ultraviolet 

UVA: ultraviolet-A light 

UVB: ultraviolet-B light 

UVC: ultraviolet-C light 

AHJ: authority having jurisdiction 

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

HCAHPS: Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems 

 

Mentioned in this episode

Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) 

Health Facilities Management (HFM) magazine  

“Performance-based finishes: Making informed design choices based on available data” 

American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID) 

The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD) 

Page 

Booker T. Washington 

Madam Curie 

Vera [Nuemann] 

Patient Handling and Movement (now “Mobility”) Assessment (PHAMA) 

Mary Matz 

product testing 

environmental services 

facilities management 

COVID-19 pandemic 

UVC disinfection 

HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) Survey 

Press Ganey survey 

Neal Caine, Neal Caine Trio 

“Skip to My Lou” 

 

AIA self-reporting LUs

Facility Guidelines Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 38744124. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org). 

This learning program may be self-reported for LU credit through the AIA Continuing Education System. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA. 

To receive AIA self-reported LUs, learners must complete and self-report two of these entire learning programs for 1 LU. 

 

Sponsored by

American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE): Optimizing health care facilities

 

 

 

Transcript (download transcript)