The 19th Century Case Study

The 19th century was a big turn for the modernization of hospitals. During the 19th century hospitals focus came to medical care, rather than the place for charity and the care for the poor. The hospital became a place where medical training was performed, and the profession of nursing was established. The structure and how the organization of hospitals changed as well, the issues with lighting and sanitation were beginning to be addressed and changed. Medical theory and research became the focus of treatment in hospitals, rather than religion being the dominant influence in the establishment of hospitals. The modernization of hospitals made it into an establishment devoted to recovery and healing, rather than a place where the sick would go to die. In this paper I will talk about a nurse named

One example of this is the Nightingale Ward, this ward was designed by Nightingale and revolutionized hospital design. According to the medical dictionary a Nightingale Ward; “consists of one large room without subdivisions, and 24 to 34 beds arranged along the sides. Nightingale wards often have side utility rooms (1–2 side rooms that can be pressed into service for patient isolation or privacy)”(Segen 's Medical Dictionary, 2012). This type of ward design made it easier for the nurses to observe the patients. Although this type of ward is generally not in use anymore, bays of patients usually between 4 and 6 are still being used. Another benefit of Nightingale’s design was the improved ventilation of the ward. The beds in the ward were spread out, interspersed by windows, and the heaters in the mid section of the ward created up-currents of hot air to aid the removal of vitiated air, and the circulation of fresh air (Richardson, 2010). This design by Nightingale improved the sanitation within the