Life’s essentials – Where practice design meets science

The global WELL Building Standard™ has ten concepts that help businesses deliver spaces to enhance human health and well-being:  

• Air 
• Water 
• Nourishment 
• Light 
• Movement 
• Thermal Comfort 
• Sound 
• Materials 
• Mind  
• Community 

How does a ‘well’ practice help your business?

Patients and staff are the lifeblood of your practice. For patients, the experience starts long before they enter your healthcare practice. Even the prospect of a simple check-up may trigger anxiety. If their experience is positive, they are more likely to stay loyal to your practice and recommend you to others. 

The healthcare sector is facing a skills shortage. Looking after staff health and well-being will help make you an employer of choice. It also reduces absenteeism and fosters a strong workplace culture. 

Distinct health intents

The WELL Building Standard™ (current version WELL v2™) has features with distinct health intents. For certification, there are preconditions and optional pathways. Medical practices can start their journey towards a well practice by understanding and implementing WELL features within the healthcare practice design and fit-out. 

This article focuses on air, water, nourishment and light. Future articles will cover the remaining concepts. 

Clear the air

There are four main Air features under WELL v2 with preconditions: 

• Air Quality – Provide a basic level of indoor air quality that contributes to the health and well-being of building users. This involves measuring air quality to ensure only permissible levels of pollutants exist.  
• Smoke-Free Environment – Already managed effectively under Australian law. 
• Ventilation Design – Ventilation systems should be designed, monitored and maintained to meet specific supply and exhaust rates. A high-quality HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) system within your practice fit-out will ensure optimal indoor air quality.  
• Construction Pollution Management – During your healthcare practice fit-out or refurbishment, employ strategies such as duct protection, moisture and dust management, filter replacement, and proper equipment selection. Engage an experienced healthcare fit-out company who use WELL principles. 

Water is wonderful – most of the time

The best way to encourage good water drinking habits is the provision of fresh, cooled water within easy reach. In addition to the WELL preconditions, the Water concept also covers management of recirculating water systems to prevent Legionella. Legionnaires’ disease often hits the news headlines, and you don’t want to be the manager of that building! 

Moisture Management is an optional optimisation under the WELL Standard. However, weather events over the last few years make it a pressing issue in Australia. Effective drainage, stormwater management and choosing condensation-resistant materials and weather-proof barriers during your healthcare practice design phase will pay dividends.  

Healthy food choices

The WELL Nourishment concept requires the availability of fruits and vegetables and nutritional transparency. It encourages the creation of food environments, where the healthiest choice is the easiest choice. There are no preconditions for businesses that do not supply food, but a fresh fruit bowl in the breakout area is a nice touch.  

Within the optional features of the WELL Standard, Food Preparation, Nutrition Education and Mindful Eating are worthy considerations for healthcare practices. 

Let there be light

The WELL Light concept aims to create lighting environments that promote visual, mental and biological health.  

The two WELL preconditions are: 

• Light Exposure – Provide indoor light exposure through daylight and electric light strategies. Windows, atriums and skylights will increase daylight exposure. Situating workstations close to windows and natural light will help bring natural light to staff who are more sedentary.  
• Visual Lighting Design – Provide visual comfort and enhance visual acuity for all users through electric lighting. Smart lighting gives the most versatility. Consider patient position in treatment rooms, particularly if they need to lie down and look at the ceiling.  

Bringing science and practice design together

Your healthcare practice can become a well-place. A place that enables people to do well. Work well, be well, feel well. And let’s not forget the bottom line. A well healthcare practice will be profitable with reputational excellence. It doesn’t get any better than that! 

For more information about a healthcare practice fit-out or refurbishment, please call Evoke Projects on 1300 720 692.