Emergency Department Design

Emergency Department Design

Combine design and process to create high performing emergency departments.

Whether you are involved in designing your own facility or just want to learn more about the process, the Emergency Department Design Course will prepare you for all the challenges you may face.

Taught since 2013, this two-day course explores how design meets process to create successful, well-run emergency departments. The course holds active discussions among medical, administrative, and architectural professionals on contemporary thinking about designs that promote engagement with the patient, patient safety and comfort, and a high degree of efficiency. Case studies of effective ED design will be explored and attendees will complete a group project to put concept into practice. 

Date & Location

  • 08-09 November 2025
  • Iberostar Selection Lisbon, Rua Castilho, 64, 1250-071 Lisboa, Portugal
Register

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What Topics are Covered?

The ED Design course covers all components of designing a successful emergency department, including:

  • How to design an observation unit
  • Conceptual aspects of design – How big? How is space divided?
  • How design can support patient flow and throughput
  • Designing staff work space and workstations
  • Planning ahead: designing for the increasing age populations
  • Case studies from the United States and Europe
Participants work in groups to design their own emergency department.
Participants work in groups to design their own emergency department.
Attendees brainstorm how their emergency department should be designed.
Attendees brainstorm how their emergency department should be designed.
Expert faculty give lectures on key components of emergency department design.
Expert faculty give lectures on key components of emergency department design.
Following informative lectures, attendees consider key factors in designing a well-run emergency department.
Following informative lectures, attendees consider key factors in designing a well-run emergency department.

I am in the early phases of pushing for a redesign of part of my ED and the information provided with group sessions has really given me ideas on where we could go from here.

IEDLI Attendee

The course has brought together many different people from different contexts of infrastructure and budget to construct a planned ED in which it was possible to imagine problems, implementations for the future, and distribution of patients and health care providers.

IEDLI Attendee

As I am in the middle of designing a new department, I learned so many tools that I will implement and offer to my leadership.

IEDLI Attendee

IEDLI has more engagement from participants than I have seen in other courses with more group activities.

IEDLI Attendee

We need a new ER. I’ve seen many ideas that would make a new department 100% better.

IEDLI Attendee

This course provided important and very valuable thoughts for our own redesigning project.

IEDLI Attendee

It was great to make new contacts for those difficult times when an additional opinion can be sought from other ED leaders who are experiencing similar issues despite different healthcare systems.

IEDLI Attendee

Who Should Participate?

This program is designed for physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and architects, with attendees joining from around the world. The course is taught in English.

Social Events

In addition to interacting with others within the classroom, Emergency Department Design participants have the opportunity to network at the Saturday night welcome reception.

Course Director

Nancy Mannion

Nancy Mannion, DNP, RN, CEN, FAEN

NMB Global Leadership, LLC

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us.