A short tutorial that explains the evidence-based design process for planning and building healthcare facilities -- hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing homes.

1. What is
Evidence-Based Design?
A quick tutorial from Sara Marberry, EDAC

2. EDAC Study Guide 1
“Evidence-based design (EBD) is the process of
basing decisions about the built environment on
credible research to achieve the best possible
outcomes.”

3. “For healthcare, the goal is
to achieve the best possible
outcomes for patients,
families, and staff while
improving the process of
delivery.”
EDAC Study Guide 1

4. EBD is not
prescriptive.
It’s a PROCESS.

5. 8-Step EBD Process
1. Define EBD goals & objectives
2. Find sources for relevant evidence
3. Critically interpret relevant evidence
4. Create & innovate EBD concepts
5. Develop a hypothesis
6. Collect baseline performance measures
7. Monitor implementation of design & construction
8. Measure post-occupancy performance results
EDAC Study Guide 1

6. The EBD steps are not linear and are often repeated
in the different phases of a project, including
organizational readiness, pre-design, design,
construction, and occupancy.

7. There’s also a
9th step…
Share results.

8. Is there any research?

9. YES. More than 2,000 studies link the design of the
physical environment of healthcare to outcomes.

10. Rigorous studies link
the design of the
physical environment
to outcomes in 5
areas:
1. Reduce Patient Stress
2. Reduce Staff Stress
3. Improve Safety
4. Improve Quality
5. Increase Operational Efficiency

11. Where can I
find the
research?
Go to
www.healthdesign.org/
knowledge-repository

12. One more question…
What does EDAC stand for?

13. Answer: Evidence-based Design
Accreditation & Certification
Go to www.healthdesign.org/edac to learn more

14. Contact
sara@saramarberry.com
blog: saramarberry.com
linkedin.com/in/saramarberry
twitter@SaraMarberry
Healthcare design knowledge expert,
marketing & business development consultant