Designing to Combat Burnout and Support Collaboration for ASC’s

Staffing shortages and clinical burnout aren’t just HR issues, they’re design challenges. Grace Design Studios approaches ASC planning with empathy for the people who make care possible. Our environments support staff efficiency while reducing physical and emotional fatigue.

We prioritize logical adjacencies and clear sightlines, minimizing the steps required to complete tasks and maximizing opportunities for collaboration. By reducing the “churn” that results from inefficient layouts, we help care teams conserve energy and stay focused on patient care. Workstations are positioned to balance proximity and privacy, and supply storage is placed to reduce interruptions.

Spaces for respite, recharge, and decompression are treated as essential recruitment points. Grace-designed break areas and staff zones are thoughtfully located and acoustically separated from patient zones, giving teams room to breathe. Natural light, biophilic design elements, and reduced noise levels further support well-being.

In addition to physical layout, our environments facilitate mentoring and team interaction. Collaborative planning zones and modular workspaces support flexible staffing models and team-based care. When the space works for the team, the team works better for the patient.

Best Practices:

• Ensure clear sightlines between staff and patients
• Design dedicated, acoustically protected respite spaces
• Minimize travel distance between high-touch zones
• Integrate collaborative hubs to support mentorship