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Knowledge Repository

A complete, user-friendly database of healthcare design research references MoreLess about the Knowledge Repository

The Knowledge Repository is a complete, user-friendly database of healthcare design research references that continues to grow with the latest peer-reviewed publications. Start with our Knowledge Repository for all of your searches for articles and research citations on healthcare design topics. Access full texts through the source link, read key point summaries, or watch slidecasts. Expand your search and find project briefs, interviews, and other relevant resources by visiting our Insights & Solutions page.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 21

Pilot study of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit

Author(s): Novak, T., Scanlan, J., McCaul, D., MacDonald, N., Clarke, T.
Added September 2018

Safety by design: effects of operating room floor marking on the position of surgical devices to promote clean air flow compliance and minimise infection risks

Author(s): de Korne, D. F., van Wijngaarden, J. D. H., van Rooij, J., Wauben, L. S. G. L., Hiddema, U. F., Klazinga, N. S.
Added July 2016

From the nurses' station to the health team hub: How can design promote interprofessional collaboration?

Author(s): Gum, Lyn Frances, Prideaux, David, Sweet, Linda, Greenhill, Jennene
The nurses’ station serves a diverse array of purposes, one being that it acts as a space for communication and interprofessional collaboration. Previous studies have shown that the design of the nurses’ station alone can impact aspects of patient and staff privacy, walking distance, and access to resources. But no known studies prior to this paper have examined specifically the influence of nurse station design on the frequency and quality of interprofessional practice.
Key Point Summary
Added June 2016

Ergonomics Principles Associated with Laparoscopic Surgeon Injury/Illness

Author(s): Miller, K., Benden, M.., Pickens, A., Shipp, A., & Zheng, Q.
Although laparoscopic procedures significantly benefit patients in terms of decreased recovery times and improved outcomes, they contribute to mental fatigue and musculoskeletal problems among surgeons. A variety of ergonomic interventions and applications are implemented by surgeons to reduce health problems.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Innovation Pilot Study: Acute Care for Elderly (ACE) Unit--Promoting Patient-Centric Care

Author(s): Krall et al.
Older patients have different needs: cognitive impairment, chronic health issues, caregiver burden, and maintenance of functional level. These issues present challenges to healthcare organizations when caring for this population on a general medical-surgical unit.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Destination Bedside

Author(s): Watkins, N., Kennedy, M., Lee, N., O’Neill, M., Peavey, E., DuCharme, M., & Padula, C.
Patient-centered care (PCC) has been at the core of healthcare reform. Improvements and advancements in Healthcare Information Technology (HIT), Electronic Health Records and inpatient unit layout have been some means that aim to achieve PCC. Also key to PCC is the alleviation of medical errors, which HIT and related technology can help achieve.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Patients and Their Families Weigh in on Evidence-Based Hospital Design

Author(s): Trochelman, K., Albert, N., Spence, J., Murray, T., Slifcak, E.
Literature indicates that design of a healthcare facility impacts quality of care, patient safety, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and outcomes. Evidence-based design (EBD) is increasingly becoming a guiding principle in the design of new healthcare facilities. As research on EBD evolves and more hospitals and architects use EBD recommendations, it becomes imperative to consider the perspectives of patients and families.
Key Point Summary
Added May 2015

Impacts of indoor daylight environments on patient average length of stay (ALOS) in a healthcare facility

Author(s): Choi, J.-H., Beltran, L. O., Kim, H.-S.
One of the components that increases the quality of the indoor environment in hospitals is window views with access to daylight. The orientation of a window can be significant to the amount of daylight a room can get. This study examined the indoor environments of patient rooms located on different sides of a hospital building to investigate the impact of daylight on the length of stay.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Human Factors Evaluation of an Interventional Trauma Operating Room Mock-up

Author(s): Biesbroek, S., Shultz, J., Kirkpatrick, A., Kortbeek, J.
Trauma operating rooms and angiography procedure rooms are separate entities in hospitals. An Interventional Trauma Operating Room (ITOR) with scope for both traditional surgery and interventional radiological procedures was designed to reduce the risk involved in moving unstable patients between the two treatment areas.
Key Point Summary
Added December 2014

To provide care and be cared for in a multiple-bed hospital room

Author(s): Persson, E., Määttä, S.
Added November 2014

Impact of Isolation on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Scores: Is Isolation Isolating?

Author(s): Vinski, J., Bertin, M., Sun, Z., Gordon, S. M., Bokar, D., Merlino, J., Fraser, T. G.
Added November 2014

Physical Environment Provisions of USP “Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations”

Author(s): Beebe, C.
USP <797> reports standards and policies for all physical environments in which compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) are prepared, packaged, and stored. The standards apply specifically to people who prepare CSPs and must take care to reduce the risk of contamination from their behaviors, hygiene, and clothing (i.e., garb). Clinical workers whose work lies within this realm must be individually trained and evaluated to maintain the standards and reduce microbial contamination that results from contact.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Reconsidering the Semiprivate Inpatient Room in U.S. Hospitals

Author(s): Verderber, S., Todd, L. G.
Added September 2014

Same-handed patient room configurations: anecdotal and empirical evidence

Author(s): Stichler, J. F., McCullough, C.
Added September 2014

Small-scale, homelike facilities in dementia care: A process evaluation into the experiences of family caregivers and nursing staff.

Author(s): Verbeek, H., Zwakhalen, S. M. G., van Rossum, E., Kempen, G. I. J. M., Hamers, J. P. H.
Current developments in institutional dementia care aim at the downsizing of facilities and increasing their homelike appearance. Small-scale living facilities are an example of this movement, in which a small group of residents (usually six to eight) live together in a homelike environment. Residents are encouraged to participate in normal daily activities and nursing staff is part of the household with integrated tasks. Despite the increase of these facilities, little is known about experiences of family caregivers of residents and nursing staff.
Key Point Summary
Added August 2014

Suicide Attempts and Completions in the Emergency Department in Veterans Affairs Hospitals

Author(s): Mills, P. D., Watts, B. V., DeRosier, J. M., Tomolo, A. M., Bagian, J. P.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and approximately 1,500 suicides occur in inpatient hospital units in the United States each year, This study examines the specific environmental factors involved in suicide attempts and completions in an ED in a large, nationally represented hospital sample (VA).
Key Point Summary
Added May 2014

Traffic Flow in the Operating Room: An Explorative and Descriptive Study on Air Quality During Orthopedic Trauma Implant Surgery

Author(s): Andersson, A.E., Bergh, I., Karlsson, J., Eriksson, B.I. MD, Nilsson,K.
Three main strategies exist to prevent surgical site infections following surgery: 1) the patient, 2) the surgical technique, 3) the surgical environment. This study focuses on optimizing the effect of the surgical environment in preventing SSIs (surgical site infections). The authors attempt to understand that the protective potential of operating room (OR) ventilation under different conditions is crucial to optimizing the surgical environment.
Key Point Summary
Added April 2014

Quality Physical Environment in Paediatric Wards: Designer’s Creation Versus Users’ Satisfaction

Author(s): Ghazali, R., Abbas, M. Y.
Prior research has revealed that an optimal healing environment can enhance a child’s quality of life by supporting the healing process. However, little has been done to identify specific design features within an optimal healing environment that either impede or aid the healing process.
Key Point Summary
Added April 2014

Medical Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tank Storage

Author(s): McLaughlin, S., Dagenais, D.
There are particular requirements for storing medical gas cylinders as well as requirements for bulk tank storage in healthcare settings; these regulatory requirements exist specifically for cylinders that are not in use. In use refers to cylinders being used by a patient, or attached to equipment and ready for immediate use, or located in patient rooms about to be used. Requirements vary depending on the total amount of cubic feet of gas needing to be stored, with the most stringent regulations for more than 3,000 cubic feet of gas, less stringent requirements for 300-3,000 cubic feet of gas, and the least stringent requirements for less than 300 cubic feet of gas. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of accident and injury.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2014

Direct sunlight and ventilator weaning outcomes

Author(s): Wise, P. M., Wallace, D. S.
Research shows that room design and the healthcare environment offer physical and psychological benefits for patients and others. For example, windows, by providing views of nature and exposure to sun, offer beneficial effects. Attention restoration theory posits that viewing a natural scene promotes a feeling of being away from it all and allows for a mental recuperative break. This change in cognitive functioning promoted by nature offers recuperative powers.
Key Point Summary
Added February 2014