Nursing's contributions to innovative hospital design.

With nearly $200 billion of healthcare construction expected by 2015, nurse leaders must expand their knowledge and capabilities in healthcare design. This bimonthly department, edited by Jaynelle F. Stichler, DNSc, RN, FACHE, prepares nurse leaders to use the evidence-based design process to ensure that new, expanded, and renovated hospitals facilitate optimal patient outcomes, enhance the work environment for healthcare providers, and improve organizational performance. The guest authors of this article feature a new interdisciplinary model of graduate education that is focused on preparing design and healthcare professionals to work collaboratively in creating optimal healthcare designs that foster safety and efficiency.