Press Releases

NASHVILLE, TENN. - A leading expert in evidence-based design will discuss the latest trends, techniques and issues for designing bariatric patient environments at an educational session at Healthcare Design 2011. The CEU-accredited seminar, sponsored by KI, will be presented by Dr. Debra Harris, Ph.D., faculty fellow of the Center for Health Systems & Design.

"Healthcare represents one of the most dynamic and evolving markets for A&D professionals, making seminars like these vitally important," said Debbie Breunig, vice president, healthcare, KI. "We're sponsoring this seminar as part of our commitment to providing healthcare designers and facilities managers with all the information they need to create spaces that meet the needs of patients, families and staff."

Dr. Harris' presentation-Responsive Design for the Bariatric Patient: How Will New Guidelines Impact Health Facility Design?-takes place at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Attendees will learn about new design guidelines from the Facility Guidelines Institute that have been developed to accommodate the bariatric patient. Dr. Harris will introduce pertinent statistics on obesity and bariatric care as it relates to healthcare environments, present research on safe handling and design implications for accommodating obese patients, and review new bariatric guidelines.

Dr. Harris holds a Ph.D. in architecture from Texas A&M University, with an emphasis on health systems planning. With more than 25 years of practice, she brings a seasoned background to healthcare architecture and design. As CEO of RAD Consultants, she focuses on evidence-based strategic planning, programming, design and research. Her most recent book, "Design Details for Health: Making the Most of Design's Healing Potential, 2nd Edition," draws upon evidence that supports the application of specific research-based details for the design of acute care, ambulatory care and long-term care facilities.

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KI manufactures innovative furniture and movable wall system solutions for education, healthcare, government and corporate markets. The employee-owned company is headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., and operates sales offices and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia. KI tailors products and service solutions to the specific needs of each customer through its unique design and manufacturing philosophy. For more information, visit www.kihealthcare.com.