COMMON SPACE REFURBISHMENT FOR IMPROVING THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT IN AN ACUTE HOSPITAL

–Case study of Tsutsumare Salon at Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital–

Abstract

This report verifies the achievements of a refurbishment project intended to change the family private room into a multi-use common space in terms of its use and function recognition. The findings, after the refurbishment has evidenced that the common space is mainly used by patients and their families as a calm place for chatting and rehabilitating. However, there are several cases of nonuse and lack of function recognition particularly from part of the hospital staff. Consequently, the efforts to increase the function recognition are focused on promoting an active participation of the hospital staff during future refurbishment processes.