Patient-and-Family-Centered Care

Hospital Design Creates the Ultimate Healing Environment for Cancer Patients

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center has been carefully planned to create an enhanced healing environment. We formed a Patient and Family Partnership Council to actively engage patients and families in the design process.

Council members shared their unique perspectives through focus group sessions and touring UH Seidman Cancer Center mock-up rooms. Their feedback was directly responsible for a number of design improvements including:

• Exercise equipment – Member input served as a guide to purchasing exercise equipment for the inpatient cancer floor including a recumbent bike, a treadmill, a Wii and an ergometer.
• Artwork – Pieces with a whimsical theme were selected on the basis of member preferences.
• Infusion area design – Patients requested areas for privacy in addition to open group spaces while receiving chemotherapy and other outpatient infusion services.

Inpatient floors are family- and patient-oriented with family sleeping accommodations, activities rooms and family lounges.

In addition to wireless Internet connections and work stations in patient rooms, a centrally located Family Resource Center houses computers, books and other educational materials. We also use the space to host patient education activities.

To empower patients through nature, the facility has stunning, glassed-in areas that overlook a terrace garden, as well as the Schneider Healing Garden.