Karpinski staff attended the 2021 Healthcare Design Conference. In a series of brief articles, they’re sharing key takeaways from notable conference presentations.

In “What’s New for 2022: Changes in the FGI Guidelines,” members of the 2022 Health Guidelines Revision Committee outlined what we can expect when the 2022 Guidelines are released. Karpinski’s Rocco Gallo highlights 5 stand-out changes.

1. Improving the Telehealth Experience

The demand for telehealth rapidly expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, providers discovered issues like excessive noise from the ductwork and insufficiently insulated walls. The 2022 Guidelines will include requirements for better in-room acoustics

2. Care for an Aging Population

Care for an aging population is a focal point, including palliative care and nursing homes. The 2022 Guidelines give particular attention to architectural and electrical components. One example is lighting: Older people see differently, and the Guidelines are continuing to address the issue.

3. Increased Security

Security is getting a boost, with the Guidelines enhancing requirements for areas that need will to be secured, such as rooms storing medication and outdoor mechanical and electrical equipment. Healthcare organizations can also expect security requirements to be enforced more.

4. More Clarity re: Freestanding EDs

Freestanding emergency departments have been moved from the inpatient section to the outpatient section, which is great news for teams that have wrestled their way through those requirements.

5. New Requirement for Disaster Emergency Vulnerability Assessments

Disaster Emergency Vulnerability Assessments (DEVA) will become a project requirement. The presenters provided the definition and a high-level overview without elaborating the specifics, so we will know more when we get the new guidelines.