Selecting a pharmacy layout design using a weighted scoring system
2012
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 69
Pages 796-804
Author(s): McDowell, A. L., Huang, Y.-L.
Previous studies have found that effectively planning the construction of a facility can reduce operational inefficiencies and lower costs by as much as 30%. Since pharmacies are focused on the distribution of supplies rather than interactions with patients, they could hypothetically benefit from process-improvement techniques that are often used in manufacturing industries for layout designs.
Added May 2017
From the nurses' station to the health team hub: How can design promote interprofessional collaboration?
2012
Journal of Interprofessional Care
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 26
Pages 21-27
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.
Added June 2016
Users' views of hospital environmental quality: Validation of the Perceived Hospital Environment Quality Indicators (PHEQIs)
2012
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 32
Pages 97-111
Author(s): Andrade, C., Lima, M. L., Fornara, F., Bonaiuto, M
The hospital physical environment has been researched for years but its impact on patient outcomes is still in need of validation. The perception of the medical facility as a “healing environment” rather than a “curing machine” is being adopted by new hospitals. Improved physical environments generate overall satisfaction with medical services.
Added May 2015
Healing environment: A review of the impact of physical environmental factors on users
2012
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Huisman, E. R. C. M., Morales, E., van Hoof, J., Kort, H. S. M.
According to the authors, research that examines the physical environment and its impact on the healing and well-being of human beings has been growing in the last several years. There is increasing availability of literature on evidence-based design.
Added March 2015
Impacts of indoor daylight environments on patient average length of stay (ALOS) in a healthcare facility
2012
Building and Environment
Journal Article
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.
Added March 2015
Designing for distractions: a human factors approach to decreasing interruptions at a centralised medication station
2012
BMJ Quality & Safety
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 21
Pages 939-947
Author(s): Colligan, L., Guerlain, S., Steck, S. E., Hoke, T. R.
According to the authors, literature indicates that interruptions during the administration of medication in healthcare settings can lead to errors, and that such errors are likely to cause more harm in pediatric settings. The medication station in the study hospital is centrally located with an open design targeted to reduce nurse walking and increase time with patients.
Added December 2014
Effectiveness of an audible reminder on hand hygiene adherence
2012-05-01
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 40
Pages 320-323
Author(s): Fakhry, M., Hanna, G. B., Anderson, O., Holmes, A., Nathwani, D.
To reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs), interventions, like alcohol-based hand rub, soap and water, training, education, workplace reminders, etc., have been introduced to increase hand hygiene compliance by healthcare workers. Visitors to hospitals may also spread infections, and it is imperative for them to be acquainted with and comply with hand hygiene during their visits.
Added November 2014
Do hospital visitors wash their hands? Assessing the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in a hospital lobby
2012
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 40
Pages 340-343
Author(s): Birnbach, D. J., Nevo, I., Barnes, S., Fitzpatrick, M., Rosen, L. F., Everett-Thomas, R., Sanko, J. S., Arheart, K. L.
Compliance with hand hygiene by healthcare workers is considered to be relevant to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. There are no studies that indicate the significance of hand-hygient compliance (HHC) by hospital visitors, although both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that hospital visitors can potentially carry infections from the community into hospitals.
Added November 2014
The Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Delivery and Its Influence on the Outcome of Care
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 104-116
Author(s): O'Connor, M., O'Brien, A., Bloomer, M., Morphett, J., Peters, L., Hall, H., Parry, A., Recoche, K., Lee, S., Munro, I.
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that in all healthcare settings, the design of discipline-specific space can influence patients and their health outcomes. The contribution of the physical environment to quality of life and well-being is also supported. Healthcare delivery has changed over the last three decades; however, the authors note that some ICUs and emergency departments have not fully adapted to these changes, whereas palliative care and women’s health have adapted to include more family involvement and patient-driven changes. Environments such as labor and delivery units have benefitted from active consumer involvement in design.
Added September 2014
Factors Impeding Flexible Inpatient Unit Design
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 83-103
Author(s): Pati, D., Evans, J., Harvey, T. E., Bazuin, D.
The physical environment can have a significant impact on operational efficiencies within healthcare environments. In an era of cost curtailment, design interventions that can provide maximum flexibility will become increasingly necessary. Following a 2006 study that identified domains within the design process that affect flexibility within acute care inpatient units, researchers wanted to understand whether domains external to the design process could influence the successful optimization of flexibility within the same environment.
Added September 2014
Image and Emotion: From Outcomes to Brain Behavior
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 5
Pages 40-59
Author(s): Nanda, U., Zhu, X., Jansen, B. H.
Existing outcome studies have proven the link between exposure to visual images (with nature content) and improvements in stress, anxiety, and pain perception. However, an understanding of the underlying perceptual mechanisms has been lacking.
Added September 2014
Effects of Nursing Unit Spatial Layout on Nursing Team Communication Patterns, Quality of Care, and Patient Safety
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 8-38
Author(s): Hua, Y., Becker, F., Wurmser, T., Bliss-Holtz, J., Hedges, C.
A number of studies have looked at the impact of different types of healthcare staff communication on patient outcomes, as communication and collaboration are crucial for patient care. One topic that is starting to be studied but requires more research is the effect of nursing unit layout and design on nurse communication. While traditionally nursing units have a centralized layout with one main nursing station used by all staff in the unit, more recently there has been movement toward other types of layouts in an attempt to impact patient care.
Added September 2014
The Effect of Hospital Unit Layout on Nurse Walking Behavior
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 66-82
Author(s): Yi, L., Seo, H.-B.
Over the course of a typical shift, nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, walking back and forth on the unit to take care of patients' needs. The long distances that nurses walk is a topic of concern in the industry. Some believe it may potentially impact the amount of time spent with patients and also because of the physical toll on nurses, day after day. Researchers are attempting to understand whether unit layout and design might be revised to reduce walking distances and create efficiencies that enhance patient care.
Added September 2014
The antimicrobial efficacy of copper alloy furnishing in the clinical environment: a crossover study
2012
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 33
Pages 3-9
Author(s): Karpanen, T. J., Casey, A. L., Lambert, P. A., Cookson, B. D., Nightingale, P., Miruszenko, L., Elliott, T. S.
Environmental hygiene has been regarded as one of the key areas in the prevention of HCAIs (healthcare associated infections) in hospital and acute care settings. Copper and its alloys have recently been considered for use in the healthcare environment as an antimicrobial surface material, and in 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the registration of copper and its alloys as antimicrobial materials. The main aim of this study was to determine whether copper incorporated into hospital ward furnishings and equipment can reduce their surface microbial load.
Added September 2014
A Cottage Model for Eldercare
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 5
Pages 99
Author(s): Thistleton, W. W., Jacqueline, J. J.
Some healthcare facilities are moving from traditional ward designs with high patient-to-caregiver ratios to environments that are designed with patients and their families in mind. Research suggests that patients prefer spaces that promote a homely normal lifestyle and proper family functions. To that end, some long-term care residences are now built in a cottage-style. Some examples of this are The Green House model, used in The Green House Homes at Traceway in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the Adards Nursing Home in Warrane, Tasmania, Australia.
Added September 2014
Functional Outcomes of Nursing Home Residents in Relation to Features of the Environment: Validity of the Professional Environmental Assessment Protocol
2012
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 13
Pages e1-7
Author(s): Slaughter, S. E., Morgan, D. G.
Research conducted in different settings shows that specialized environments designed for people with dementia may reduce the rate of functional loss. Different measures have been developed to assess the nursing home environments focused on the features of specialized dementia units. Among them, the Professional Environmental Assessment Protocol (PEAP) was developed to assess the quality of dementia care environments on nine dimensions. Assessment involves subjective evaluation of the physical and social environment on a 5-point scale for each dimension.
Added September 2014
Contributions of Environment, Comorbidity, and Stage of Dementia to the Onset of Walking and Eating Disability in Long-Term Care Residents
2012
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 60
Pages 1624-1631
Author(s): Slaughter, S. E., Hayduk, L. A.
Objectives To estimate the relative effects of environment, comorbidities, stage of dementia and other variables on disability onset. Design A 1-year prospective cohort study was conducted in which the walking and eating abilities of long-term care residents were observed fortnightly. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the contributions of individual and environmental factors to the...
Added September 2014
Long-Term Efficacy of an Ergonomics Program That Includes Patient-Handling Devices on Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries to Nursing Personnel
2012
Human Factors
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 54
Pages 608-625
Author(s): Garg, A., Kapellusch, J. M.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to the authors, reports that nursing staff face musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs) in all types of healthcare facilities. Nurse aides (NAs) in particular have the highest rate of staying away from work because of these injuries.
Added September 2014
Environmental determinants of quality of life in nursing home residents with severe dementia
2012
Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 60
Pages 1230-1236
Author(s): Garre-Olmo, J., López-Pousa, S., Turon-Estrada, A., Juvinyà, D., Ballester, D., Vilalta-Franch, J.
Studies show that more than 50% of the residents in nursing homes suffer from moderate or severe dementia. The authors refer to literature that indicates that in the last 20 years, the culture of imparting care in nursing homes has evolved from a focus on safety, uniformity, and medical concerns to health promotion and Quality of Life (QOL).
Added September 2014
The Impact of Daylight and Views on ICU Patients and Staff
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 5
Pages 46-60
Author(s): Shepley, M. M., Gerbi, R. P., Watson, A. E., Imgrund, S., Zadeh, R. S.
The physical environment has been found to have a significant impact on patient, family, and staff outcomes in healthcare settings. The impact of the design of intensive care units (ICUs) may be particularly significant in light of the levels of stress experienced by staff and the vulnerability of families and patients.
Added September 2014
