Introduction
South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen has redefined patient care in its Emergency Department (ED) by introducing a state of the art sensory room. This initiative, which recently won an award for “Low Cost High Impact” at the Design in Mental Health 2024 awards, showcases the transformative potential of sensory spaces in healthcare settings. This case study explores the collaborative efforts, challenges, solutions, and outcomes of this project, highlighting the critical role of sensory environments in enhancing patient well-being.
Background
Recognising the profound impact of sensory environments in healthcare, the dedicated nurses for learning disabilities at South West Acute Hospital, led by Eimear, sought to replicate the success of a similar project at Altnagelvin Hospital. The goal was to create a calming space within the busy ED to reduce patient stress and anxiety, thereby enhancing patient comfort and well-being during medical emergencies.
Challenges
Creating a sensory room within the Emergency Department (ED) is a complex undertaking that requires careful consideration of various challenges. The goal is to establish a space that not only supports the well-being of patients but also seamlessly integrates into the existing ED environment. To achieve this, we must address several key challenges
The primary challenges included:
- The need to support a growing number of students with special educational needs.
- The requirement for more than one sensory room to cater to the diverse needs of students and provide them with breaks from the busy school environment.
- A uniquely shaped, small space designated for the Sensory Movement Room, which required careful planning and innovative design solutions.
Process
Site Assessment
Careful evaluation of potential locations to find an optimal space that would cause minimal disruption during installation.
Collaborative Planning
Continuous communication with staff to coordinate the installation process.
Custom Design
Crafting a sensory room tailored to the specific needs of the students, incorporating calming and stimulating sensory equipment.
Solution
Working in close collaboration with Causeway Sensory, Eimear and her team meticulously planned every detail of the sensory room installation. The process involved:
Custom Design: Crafting a sensory room tailored to the specific needs of the ED’s patient population, incorporating calming and stimulating sensory equipment.
Site Assessment: Careful evaluation of potential locations within the ED to find an optimal space that would cause minimal disruption during installation.
Collaborative Planning: Continuous communication with ED staff to coordinate the installation process, ensuring that hospital operations remained unaffected.
Results
The introduction of the sensory room at South West Acute Hospital has led to several positive outcomes:
- Reduced Patient Anxiety: The sensory room provides a tranquil environment, significantly reducing stress and anxiety for patients during medical emergencies.
- Enhanced Patient Comfort: The calming and stimulating sensory solutions promote relaxation and overall well-being, making the hospital experience more comfortable for patients.
- Staff and Patient Approval: Both staff and patients have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the sensory room, noting its positive impact on patient care and comfort.
The recognition it received at the Design in Mental Health 2024 awards in the category for low cost high impact further highlights its success and impact.
For hospitals considering similar initiatives, this case study demonstrates the significant benefits of integrating sensory spaces into their care environments.
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