Design as Part of the Healing Process
In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale spoke of the importance of natural light, fresh air, touch, diet, noise control, and spirituality for healing and the patient should be put in the best possible condition so that nature can act and healing occur.
Currently Kenyatta National Hospital is the only hospital in Eastern and Central Africa that provides Thyroid cancer treatment. The Iodine room where patients are isolated during their treatment is dilapidated.
Phase One of TyTKO Project is to renovate this ward.
Cancer patients frequently experience discomfort and fatigue, as well as worry and stress, during their treatment. Specific design changes in healthcare environments can reduce stress and alleviate the consequences of that stress. These changes can also help reduce medical errors and hospital-acquired infections, while improving staff morale and efficiency.
Portrait of Dr. Alphonse Leroy by Jacques-Louis
A soothing, peaceful clinical environment, can aid in the healing process. That’s why design is an essential part of the TyTKO agenda for this project.
Research has shown that use of design and art in healthcare aids healing by creating a sense of engagement with beauty, unleashing the power of the patient’s imagination to help them envision a future where they are in a better state.
We will incorporate the following in our project:
Proxemics: The study and application of personal space zones-how close we like to be to other people.
Ergonomics/Human Factors. The study of how well the space, furniture, and other features fit the human body and how well they facilitate the tasks that need to be done in that space.
Building Codes: Sets of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed buildings
Green Guidelines: The goal of these guidelines will be to create buildings that nurture the health of not only the patients and staff in the building, but also the surrounding community and environment.
Basic principles: build only what you need, reuse when you can, and use natural resources.
Painting, photography, sculpture, and digital artwork will also be incorporated in the in the process
– Written by Gennevieve Omondi
For: Project TYTKO
TyTKO 