New Footscray Hospital ICU Uses Evidence-Based Design With Sunlight and Outdoor Access

The new Footscray hospital ICU gives every bed a private room with maximized natural light, and glass extensions let patients be moved outdoors for fresh air without disconnecting from oxygen, infusion pumps or nurse calling. MedCram's commentary traces the evidence from windowless 1940s wards to 15-year follow-up data linking daylight and outdoor access to better infection outcomes, arguing that buildings themselves should be part of patient care.