Improving Hospital Ecosystems with Bioinformed Design

Are healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) driven not only by existing harmful pathogens but by the absence of helpful species? In our zeal to create an ultra-clean patient environment, are we actually removing ecosystems that can help heal? Researchers are beginning to create a new paradigm that may change how we design, operate, and maintain hospitals. This model looks at biodiversity of interior spaces at the microbial level to try to determine the healthiest conditions.