America is spending approximately $30 billion annually on new hospital construction. There is an unprecedented opportunity to build facilities that actually provide safer, healthier environments in which to provide care. When undertaking a major project, boards and hospitals must now take into consideration whether the project has incorporated all relevant evidence-based design to assure that the new facility will be optimal for patients, families, and staff. This session will review new published articles on evidencebased design, present a compelling business case for building optimal hospitals, and discuss how leaders can incorporate evidence-based design into strategic planning and decision making.

      After this presentation you will be able to:

• Cite articles on evidence-based design that correlate improved design with improved clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff recruitment/retention.
• Articulate the business case (capital costs vs. operating savings and increased revenue) for building safer, healthier hospitals.
• Describe how hospital leaders can incorporate evidence-based design into their strategic planning and decision making.