Insights & Solutions

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.

Jafarifiroozabadi, R., Joseph, A., Bridges, W., & Franks, A. (2023). The impact of daylight and window views on length of stay among patients with heart disease: A retrospective study in a cardiac intensive care unit. Journal of Intensive Medicine

A window with a view is a frequently cited example of an evidence-based design application. The advances in medicine since the seminal 1984 study by Ulrich have often made me wonder whether the results would be the same today. In this natural experiment study of windows in a CICU, the researchers evaluated three room types – a room with a window perpendicular to the bed (allowing for a view of an urban skyline), a room with a window behind the head of the bed (allowing daylight but no view), and a room with no windows. Accounting for a number of patient factors, the team found that outcomes were better in the rooms with a view, as compared to the rooms with no windows. Outcomes were sometimes better for a room with daylight (but no view), as compared to the rooms with no windows. Views and daylight continue to influence outcomes.

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.