CoWin and de-escalation in a healing environment in psychiatry

An optimum healing environment in psychiatry is a complex interplay between evidence- based design (EBD) and workplace dynamics that revolve around the client's self-management and autonomy. Recornect's CoWin solutions are completely in line with this trend and are achieving great results for both clients and care staff.

Through the years, much scientific research has been done into this relatively new movement, meaning that a lot of evidence has been gathered on the positive impact of healing environments. But what exactly is a healing environment? We see it as a holistic approach that you might define as follows:

“An environment that supports recovery, well-being and perception in such a way that it has a facilitating effect on healing."

In a unit or organisation that is constructed according to this principle, you regularly come across fixed elements which have been proven to have a beneficial effect on a patient's recovery process. You could roughly divide these elements into a construction-based approach and a treat-and-care approach. Construction elements that can often be seen in a healing environment include:

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-       View of nature (greenery both indoors and outdoors)

-       Daylight (large windows)

-       Fresh air (mechanical ventilation instead of circular ventilation)

-       Muted colours

-       Natural materials (wood, stone etc.)

-       Good acoustics (noise-reducing materials)

-       Creation of intimacy and safe "corners" through large furniture.

Besides this construction-based approach, that's often developed by architects' firms that are specialised in psychiatric institutions, the care dynamics between patients and care workers is just as important. The treat-and-care approach elements that can often be seen in a healing environment include:

-       A nice ambiance in the unit

-       Lots of attention to privacy and autonomy

-       A relationship between patient and care workers based on respect and trust

-       Space for isolation in the unit

-       Multiple areas for social contact, stimulating connecting

-       "Rooming in' with family members

-       Less pressure and coercion and more emphasis on self-management

-       More attention to individual coping styles

-       Much attention to healthy nutrition and exercise.

All over the world where healing environments are in place, we have not only a seamless alignment with this holistic approach, but in general, we significantly improve the atmosphere and work pressure in acute psychiatric units. At first glance, our CoWin system looks like a hardware and software solution, but we like to see it as the materialisation of work dynamics based on the above-mentioned approach. But just how exactly does CoWin make a difference in a care unit?

Although a CoWin system can be built in from an ethical point of view, the focus of CoWin is not on the design, but precisely on the treat-and-care approach. As the de-escalation solution, CoWin offers patients in crisis a degree of self-management unthinkable up till recently. This feeling of autonomy ensures faster de-escalations in units which in turn ensures lower work pressure and a generally better atmosphere. The overall reduction in stress subsequently contributes to a real healing environment.

If the situation demands it, there can be communication between patient and care worker, in a safe way, through CoWin. This way, aggression and feelings of anxiety can be kept to a minimum, allowing people to reach out sooner in confidence, something that contributes to a fruitful relationship between clients and care staff.

Lastly, windows and a view of nature are not always self-evident. In older units, in particular, such possibilities are limited. Based on this idea, CoWin was designed as a "window". The media wall has a 48-inch format and is installed in a portrait configuration. Care staff and client can choose to display calming photos, the healing effect of which has been proven, even though it concerns a screen and not a physical window. A selection of music, family photos or videos put together personally also has a very calming effect on clients. These are the results that make it our mission to work every day on new, advanced technological solutions that contribute to a rapid and long-lasting recovery by clients all over the world.

If you'd like to find out more about our CoWin solutions, why not visit our product page through this link?

https://recornect.com/products/cowin

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