Research Reports & Papers

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Improving Patient Safety and Quality of Care

The Center for Health Design CHER (Coalition for Health Environments Research) Paper

The Effect of Environmental Design on Reducing Nursing and Medication Errors in Acute Care Settings - November 2007

A comprehensive review of the empirical literature followed up with interviews with nurses at seven hospitals. The study concludes with specific recommendations about environmental interventions that can support the reduction of errors in the nursing unit.

The Center for Health Design CHER (Coalition for Health Environments Research) Paper

Limiting the Spread of Infection in the Health Care Environments- April 2007

A study of 14 common building materials and finishes in the healthcare environment. Inoculation of common harmful organisms is followed by rigorous testing in the laboratory to determine the ability of each material to sustain and propagate these organisms.

Issue Paper #1

The Impact of the Environment on Infections in Healthcare Facilities - July 2006

Hospital-acquired infections, or nosocomial infections, are one of the leading causes of death in the United States —- killing more Americans than AIDS, breast cancer, or automobile accidents. In 1995 alone, nosocomial infections contributed to more than 88,000 deaths -- one death every six minutes -- and cost $4.5 billion. This issue paper was funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Issue Paper #2

The Impact of Light on Outcomes in Healthcare Settings - August 2006

Studies show that higher light levels are linked with better performance of complex visual tasks and light requirements increase with age. By controlling the body’s circadian system, light impacts outcomes in healthcare settings by reducing depression among patients, decreasing length of stay in hospitals, improving sleep and circadian rhythm, lessening agitation among dementia patients, easing pain, and improving adjustment to night-shift work among staff. This issue paper was funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Research Summary

The Role of the Physical Environment in the Hospital of the 21st Century: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity - June 2004
The hospital industry is in the throes of a major building boom:  In the next decade, an estimated $200 billion will be spent on new hospital construction across the United States.  At the same time, a new analysis of more than 600 research studies by The Center for Health Design shows a direct link between patient health and quality of care and the way a hospital is designed. This research summary was funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.