space and also avoided in future design. The findings revealed that colocation of medications, supplies, and nourishment; accommodation for WOWs; and spatial and technological connectivity between care teams and patients should be considered while designing a medical/surgical unit. Sound level captures showed the highest sound levels in the nurses' stations that tend to serve as collaboration hubs (and showed the need for workplaces where decentralized units are offset with larger team areas). The most "wasteful" walk was identified as the walk to the nourishment room for a minor task such as getting applesauce that a patient may need to accompany meds. Conversations with staff members revealed that it's not just the distance but also the perceived value in the walk that can impact satisfaction. Walking a full length of the unit for something as minor as applesauce is a dissatisfier. The notion of colocating nourishment areas with meds/supplies is a new one to the literature. Other insights-such as the need for collaboration zones in addition to decentralized and point-of-use access, as well as flexibility to accommodate different work modes-complement the existing literature. However, the key innovation in this study is the methodology. Results in use The team used data from the observations to develop a simulation model that mapped key sequences of activities. The research team benchmarked field research results against findings from larger data sets of existing research. The simulation model analyzed optimal and suboptimal sequences. The ability to take data from field research and input that into simulation models allowed the design team to optimize throughout the process. After each design iteration, the design team ran the simulation and analyzed visibility and walking distances (based on optimized and actual sequences of activities). The final plan configuration resulted in reducing walking distances in half, even though the overall floor plate was larger. Following are the key innovations in the design, based on the diagnostic and evidence-informed user interaction: * Improved unit connectivity. * A narrow and porous support core that allows for clear staff-to-patient and staff-to-staff visibility. * Technology leveraged to enhance staff communication, such as mobile phones connected to the electronic medical record. * Reduction of wasteful walking. * An equal distribution and proximity of key support spaces throughout the unit, such as the colocation of HCDmagazine.com 08.16 63http://www.oleevue.com http://www.DeepStreamDesign.com http://www.HCDmagazine.com