Does hospital design impact on patient activity levels and time spent alone?

Hospital design appears to impact on patients' physical activity. Single rooms may increase isolation and reduce interaction with nursing staff.Implications for rehabilitationDesign of new rehabilitation units needs to consider patients' social engagement with family, friends, other patients and staff in addition to privacy and infection control.A change in built design of rehabilitation units should prompt observation of patients' activity levels and engagement with people and available space to ensure optimal use of new environments.Promotion of communal spaces and activities away from the bedroom to encourage social engagement is recommended for patients recovering in rehabilitation facilities.Less time in contact with nursing staff in rehabilitation environments with predominantly single rooms suggests a review of clinical practice and patient safety is warranted.