Insights & Solutions

This webinar presents opportunities to support each individual within various types of settings – providing supportive and sustainable design solutions for residents, staff, and families. Examples of innovative solutions provide a framework for an all-inclusive approach to the design of environments for aging. Join us for this conversation that supports sustainable and healthy living for residents of all ages. This includes opportunities for you, as the influencer of change, to assist vulnerable populations with creative solutions that continuously support quality of life.  

Jones, I. G. R., Friedman, S., Vu, M., Awladthani, S., Watts, C., Simpson, A., Al-Farsi, A. A., Gupta, R., Cupido, C., & Choong, K. (2023). Improving Daily Patient Goal-Setting and Team Communication: The Liber8 Glass Door Project*. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

Advancing technology offers a myriad of ways to keep clinical teams and families apprised of care goals, however, sometimes the simplest solution can be effective, too. This study was part of a larger quality improvement initiative (the Liber8 project) of 8 evidence-based care components to minimize complications and improve functional recovery in critically ill kids. A simple $40 door decal was used to document targeted patient goals and progress. The team measured uptake, performance, efficiency and acceptability before and after the implementation. The results were positive, and use actually improved at a measurement point one year following implementation compared to the initial measurement a couple of weeks after the decals had been installed. Even after the organization implemented an electronic health record, teams continued to use the decal as out of sight is out of mind, and the visibility of the solution was seen to be less siloed than the EHR.

Derry, K. H., Sicat, C. S., Shen, M., Davidovitch, R. I., Schwarzkopf, R., & Rozell, J. C. (2023). Role of Operating Room Size on Air Quality in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain an issue, and orthopedic SSIs are particularly problematic. This summary of two studies looks at the evaluation of temperature, humidity, and airborne biologic particle counts per minute in two ORs, one small and one large, in the same medical center. Particulate counts were used as a proxy since airborne particles have been linked to bacterial concentrations that can lead to SSIs. In both studies, there were significant decreases in particles of certain sizes in the large OR compared to the small OR. The study suggests that other factors being “assumed” equal, OR size alone might be a contributing factor to SSIs. The two studies document literal diffusion of particles in more volume, and along with other things we know about OR design, highlight the importance of diffusion of knowledge as we learn more about specific topics through a variety of studies.

Derry, K. H., Sicat, C. S., Shen, M., Davidovitch, R. I., Schwarzkopf, R., & Rozell, J. C. (2023). Role of Operating Room Size on Air Quality in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain an issue, and orthopedic SSIs are particularly problematic. This summary of two studies looks at the evaluation of temperature, humidity, and airborne biologic particle counts per minute in two ORs, one small and one large, in the same medical center. Particulate counts were used as a proxy since airborne particles have been linked to bacterial concentrations that can lead to SSIs. In both studies, there were significant decreases in particles of certain sizes in the large OR compared to the small OR. The study suggests that other factors being “assumed” equal, OR size alone might be a contributing factor to SSIs. The two studies document literal diffusion of particles in more volume, and along with other things we know about OR design, highlight the importance of diffusion of knowledge as we learn more about specific topics through a variety of studies.

Ukegjini, K., Kastiunig, T., Widmann, B., Warschkow, R., & Steffen, T. (2020). Impact of intraoperative noise measurement on the surgeon stress and patient outcomes. A prospective, controlled, single-center clinical trial with 664 patients.

Embark with me on an exploration of operating room acoustics. In my presentation, I delve into the impact of noise on surgical outcomes, drawing from two literature reviews and a clinical trial. As a Ph.D. candidate specializing in hybrid operating rooms, I provide insights into the challenges posed by noise in these dynamic environments. The first review reveals the intricate relationship between noise levels and postoperative complications, highlighting its effects on stress, communication, and performance. The second review delves into the consequences of noise on surgical team functioning and patient care, focusing on communication breakdowns and potential errors. The narrative culminates with a clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a visual noise warning device as an innovative solution to address the issue of excessive noise. In conclusion, these results emphasize the need to address operating room noise for the benefit of both patients and surgical teams. Follow me on this journey where the answer to noise may be found in the surprising combination of visual design elements.

Mcleod, R., Myint-Wilks, L., Davies, S., & Elhassan, H. (2021). The impact of noise in the operating theatre: A review of the evidence. The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Embark with me on an exploration of operating room acoustics. In my presentation, I delve into the impact of noise on surgical outcomes, drawing from two literature reviews and a clinical trial. As a Ph.D. candidate specializing in hybrid operating rooms, I provide insights into the challenges posed by noise in these dynamic environments. The first review reveals the intricate relationship between noise levels and postoperative complications, highlighting its effects on stress, communication, and performance. The second review delves into the consequences of noise on surgical team functioning and patient care, focusing on communication breakdowns and potential errors. The narrative culminates with a clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a visual noise warning device as an innovative solution to address the issue of excessive noise. In conclusion, these results emphasize the need to address operating room noise for the benefit of both patients and surgical teams. Follow me on this journey where the answer to noise may be found in the surprising combination of visual design elements.

Fu, V. X., Oomens, P., Merkus, N., & Jeekel, J. (2021). The perception and attitude toward noise and music in the operation room: A systematic review. Journal of Surgical Research

Embark with me on an exploration of operating room acoustics. In my presentation, I delve into the impact of noise on surgical outcomes, drawing from two literature reviews and a clinical trial. As a Ph.D. candidate specializing in hybrid operating rooms, I provide insights into the challenges posed by noise in these dynamic environments. The first review reveals the intricate relationship between noise levels and postoperative complications, highlighting its effects on stress, communication, and performance. The second review delves into the consequences of noise on surgical team functioning and patient care, focusing on communication breakdowns and potential errors. The narrative culminates with a clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a visual noise warning device as an innovative solution to address the issue of excessive noise. In conclusion, these results emphasize the need to address operating room noise for the benefit of both patients and surgical teams. Follow me on this journey where the answer to noise may be found in the surprising combination of visual design elements.

Machry, H., Joseph, A., White, R., & Allison, D. (2023). Designing for family engagement in neonatal ICUs: How is the interior design of single-family rooms supporting family behaviors, from passive to active? HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

While family members are involved in care for all types of patients, they often have an especially active caregiving role in the NICU. As the trend in NICU design has moved to primarily single-family rooms, it is important to understand how this environment and specific aspects of these rooms influence the process of Family Engagement. Findings from this study highlight the importance of the physical environment to support family engagement behaviors.

Gharaveis, A., Hamilton, D. K., Pati, D., Shepley, M. M., Rodiek, S., McCall, D., (2023) How Visibility May Reduce Security Issues in Community Hospitals’ Emergency Departments, HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

Given that volatile situations can occur in emergency departments (EDs), it is important to ensure that staff maintain awareness of unit activities and security resources so safety risks can be prevented or at least controlled. In this study, researchers used both observations and interviews to better understand the role of ED layout on staff perceptions of safety and security and overall awareness of departmental activities. While the optimal ED design is yet to be determined, findings from this study suggest that maximizing visual connectivity between ED staff, a centralized unit layout, and staff visibility of the ED entrance, waiting room, triage area, and areas in which psychiatric patients receive care can improve ED efficiency and reduce security risks.

On part 1 of today’s episode Cheryl interviews Sarah Tetens NCIDQ, RID, IIDA, CHID, EDAC, Design Director at Baskervill.