How Collective Design Triumphed Over Competition in the Fight Against HAIs

White Papers — January 31, 2020

The Boston-based Healthcare Associated Infections Organization challenged seven local architecture firms to design a single-patient room. This competition transitioned to a collaboration among the firms in which information and ideas were shared, resulting in a room design that addressed prevention of health care-associated infections (HAIs) in a variety of ways. This paper outlines the group’s process and conclusions and provides recommendations and encouragement for other groups looking to collaborate to address health care design issues.