Insights & Solutions

Boedeker, S., Driessen, M., Schulz, P., Beblo, T., Kreisel, S., & Toepper, M. (2023). Give me a sign: Concrete symbols facilitate orientation in Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.

In order to optimize the orientation and navigation capabilities of people living with dementia, there is a need to understand which type of signage best meets their needs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of different types of restroom signage as an orientation and interpretation intervention for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Researchers evaluated the speed and accuracy of participants’ target sign recognition in relation to four different signage conditions. The most rapid and correct participant performance was in response to high-contrast signage that depicted the profile of a humanoid figure and themed pictogram as well as the addition of written information.

Talebzadeh, A., Decoutere, I., Vander Mynsbrugge, T., Botteldooren, D., Devos, P., Aletta, F., Van de Velde, D., & De Vriendt, P. (2023). The influence of everyday acoustic environments on the challenging behavior in dementia: A participatory observation study in nursing homes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

In order to overcome some of the challenging behaviors for persons with dementia, there is a need to understand how sonic environments contribute to behavioral reactions. The goal of this study was to identify the environmental and situational condition in relation to behavioral incidents. Thematic evaluation of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences resulted in four acoustic patient personas based upon a person’s capacity to interpret sounds and their capacity to react to them. There is both the opportunity to identify the most supportive sonic environments as well as develop supportive soundscapes based on the four personas that emerged from this study.

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.

Payam, S., Hossaini, J., Zaschka, K., Friedmann, A., Mall, V., (2023) Designing well-being: A qualitative investigation of young patients’ perspectives on the material hospital environment. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal  

Most studies in health facility research focus on adults and may not be generalizable to children and adolescent patients who are in various developmental phases and who may have diverse physical challenges. Further, environmental needs across developmental stages differ and may vary depending on the child’s particular condition. Researchers in this study sought to gather information from young patients to inform the remodel of a pediatric facility in Germany. Participants gave input on lobby and patient room design via artistic expression and/or interviews. Findings demonstrated a preference for non-medicalized surroundings, distracting features and design elements that could be customized and accommodate different users with varied levels of ability. While the results of the study are not definitive, it is important to recognize that these findings represent often overlooked perspectives.

Wilson, R. L., Hutton, A., & Foureur, M. (2023). Promoting mental health recovery by design: Physical, procedural, and relational security in the context of the mental health built environment. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing  

Mental health illness, disorder, and distress can require voluntary or involuntary hospitalization with an average length of stay of approximately 14 days. With such long admissions, the perspectives of varied user groups should be incorporated into design to meet physical, procedural and relational security needs. Patient perspectives are often neglected in mental health design, but are important to consider since patients may interpret and experience hospital facilities uniquely. Researchers in Australia conducted interviews and focus groups with various stakeholders including 4 patients, 5 carers (parents of inpatients), and 27 mental health professionals.  The Environmental Design Guide for Adult Medium Secure Services from the United Kingdom (2011) domains of physical security, relational security, and procedural security served as overarching themes. Design recommendations include integrating mental health units into larger health facilities; incorporating nature; designing nursing stations with private areas and without a ‘fishbowl’ style; intentional signage; and spaces to safely accommodate a variety of activities.

Hauge, Å. L., Lindheim, M. Ø., Røtting, K., Johnsen, S. Å. K., (2023) The meaning of the physical environment in child and adolescent therapy: A qualitative study of the outdoor care retreat. Ecopsychology

The experience of hospitalization can be extremely stressful, frightening, and even traumatic, especially for children. Children who are chronically ill and staying in the hospital frequently or for extended periods of time will often benefit from psychological therapy as part of their treatment plan. However, in many cases, especially with very sick children, the therapy takes place in the same physical environment where children are receiving care for somatic illnesses. This study focused on the impact of a nature-based “outdoor care retreat” cabin on therapy for chronically ill children staying in the hospital. Researchers found that participants tended to explain their experience in relation to their previous experience in the traditional hospital setting, emphasizing the benefits of the outdoor care retreat. In the hospital, sick children are patients. But taking a break from that space may allow them to be their full human selves again, even briefly.

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.