Lean design of the pediatric intensive care unit patient room for efficient and safe care delivery
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 369-390
Author(s): Lu, Y., Bishop, N. B., Zadeh, R. S.
Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are often operated by specially trained registered nurses (RNs). Due to the high stress and sensitivity of these environments, optimizing RN workflows and safety protocols is important.
Added August 2022
The healthcare chapel: Improving well-being
2022
International Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Society
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 12
Pages 93-113
Author(s): Lawson, A. E., Alfaro, S. A.
Chapels serve as a place for patients, families, and staff that foster well-being. Because chapels are used by people from a variety of faith groups, it is important they are designed to accommodate the well-being of those whose needs may not be represented in the functional requirements of a single religious denomination or faith.
Added July 2022
Impact of sink location on hand hygiene compliance for Clostridium difficile infection
2015
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 43
Pages 387-389
Author(s): Zellmer, C., Blakney, R., Van Hoof, S., Safdar, N.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common health complication arising within medical environments that can place noticeable strain on healthcare systems. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided hand hygiene guidelines for mitigating these infections following contact during an outbreak situation; however, various barriers may prevent compliance with these hand hygiene guidelines.
Added November 2019
Exploring the Effects of Clinical Exam Room Design on Communication, Technology Interaction, and Satisfaction
2019
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 12
Pages 99-115
Author(s): Zamani, Z., Harper, E. C.
The use of electronic health records (EHRs) in exam rooms is common, but research assessing the impact of EHRs on the exam experience is mixed. Limited research for healthcare design suggests exam room layouts can influence patient-provider interactions through improved information sharing.
Added February 2019
A regional survey on residents’ preferences on patient-centered medical home design in rural areas
2019
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 12
Pages 187-205
Author(s): Cai, H., Spreckelmeyer, K., Mendenhall, A., Li, D., Holmes, C., Levy, M.
The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a delivery model for primary care that is characterized by the recognition of unique patient needs while providing accessible services, a focus on safety and quality, comprehensive care, and coordinated care.
Added December 2018
Understanding Design Vulnerabilities in the Physical Environment Relating to Patient Fall Patterns in a Psychiatric Hospital: Seven Years of Sentinel Events
2019
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 25
Pages 134-145
Author(s): Bayramzadeh, S., Portillo, M., Carmel-Gilfilen, C.
Finding effective ways to prevent patient falls and fall-related injuries has been an ongoing struggle and debate for many modern medical practitioners. Previous studies have shown that nearly 30% of falls that occur in hospital settings result in injuries and, subsequently, additional treatments.
Added June 2018
Top Five Physical Design Factors Contributing to Fall Initiation
2018
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 11
Pages 50-64
Author(s): Pati, D., Lee, J., Mihandoust, S., Kazem-Zadeh, M., Oh, Y.
Falls in older patients are dangerous and are of major concern for healthcare professionals. Several studies were done on the associated causes of the falls but few have addressed the impact of the physical environment.
Added April 2018
Safety, Performance, and Satisfaction Outcomes in the Operating Room: A Literature Review
2018
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 11
Pages 137-150
Author(s): Joseph, A., Bayramzadeh, S., Zamani, Z., Rostenberg, B.
There are many operating rooms (ORs) constructed more than 30 years ago that remain operational today, and many of these spaces are inadequately designed to withstand the processes, equipment, and people needed for contemporary OR procedures. Even in developed countries, patients undergoing inpatient surgeries experience major complications 3-22% of the time.
Added February 2018
A Novel ICU Hand-Over Tool: The Glass Door of the Patient Room
2017
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 32
Pages 514-519
Author(s): Wessman, B. T., Sona, C., Schallom, M.
The Institute of Medicine has identified poor communication among the patient care team as one of the most common causes of serious errors in patient care. There was a desire in this organization to create a culture of team-oriented continuity of care by changing the mindset of handoff reporting to handover reporting communication among multidisciplinary care team members on key aspects of the patient’s daily plan of care. They developed a communication tool that included key areas of care (tests, care goals and progress toward those goals, treatments, and consultation recommendations) and printed the topic areas on the glass door of the patient room. The information was updated regularly throughout the day/night so that the most current information on patient status was available any time for rounding by various care providers, specialists, and consultants. The information was also available for viewing by the patient’s family.
Added November 2017
Evaluation of a sound environment intervention in an ICU: A feasibility study
2018
Australian Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 31
Pages 59–70
Author(s): Johansson, L., Lindahl, B., Knutsson, ., Ögren, M., Persson Waye, K., Ringdal, M.
Long-term studies measuring acoustics in ICU environments is lacking. This information is important to understand the effects of sound on seriously ill patients and those suffering from ICU delirium.
Added June 2017
Methodology for analyzing environmental quality indicators in a dynamic operating room environment
2017
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 45
Pages 354-359
Author(s): Gormley, T., Markel, T. A., Jones, H. W., Wagner, J., Greeley, D., Clarke, J. H., Abkowitz, M., Ostojic, J.
Operating rooms (ORs) provide space for delicate and complex medical procedures. This is why these spaces are closely monitored for cleanliness and efficiency. HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) are especially important features to optimize in these environments so that rates of surgical site infections may be reduced.
Added June 2017
Nursing staff’s experiences of working in an evidence-based designed ICU patient room—An interview study
2017
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Journal Article
Author(s): Sundberg, F., Olausson, S., Fridh, I., Lindahl, B.
Intensive care unit nurses use technology and systems that may not have existed when their nursing units were constructed. Nurses often must work around machines and in narrow spaces to deliver complex care to critically ill patients.
Added June 2017
Evidence-Based Design Features Improve Sleep Quality Among Psychiatric Inpatients
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 52-63
Author(s): Pyrke, R. J. L., McKinnon, M. C., McNeely, H. E., Ahern, C., Langstaff, K. L., Bieling, P. J.
There are many factors present within psychiatric care facilities that can contribute to disrupted patient sleep patterns. Since poor sleep is widely associated with adverse health outcomes, it is important for designers to understand how the physical environments within mental health facilities can contribute to patient sleep patterns.
Added May 2017
Meeting Patient Expectations During Hospitalization: A Grounded Theoretical Analysis of Patient-Centered Room Elements
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 95-110
Author(s): Patterson, E. S., Sanders, E. B.-N., Sommerich, C. M., Lavender, S. A., Li, J., Evans, K. D.
A 2016 study found that tens of millions of patients within the U.S. were hospitalized for an average of 4.8 days, while a separate study found that roughly 65.7 million people (or roughly 29% of the adult population) within the U.S. are considered caregivers for children or other adults. Other previous studies indicate that rooms that are specially designed to support patients and caregivers can reduce patient and caregiver stress and ultimately improve the overall healing processes.
Added March 2017
Physical design factors contributing to patient falls
2021
Journal of Patient Safety
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 17
Pages e135-e142
Author(s): Pati, D., Valipoor, S., Cloutier, A., Yang, J., Freier, P., Harvey, T. E., Lee, J.
Previous studies show that patient falls in hospitals are not only a leading cause of disability, injury, and mortality, but that they also affect the family members of patients, the caregivers, and the overall healthcare system.
Added February 2017
Patient Needs and Environments for Cancer Infusion Treatment
2017
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 13-25
Author(s): Wang, Z., Pukszta, M.
Roughly 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, and more than 50% of cancer patients receive chemotherapy for treatment. Chemotherapy is delivered through infusion, which uses an intravenous (IV) administration and support system to deliver treatment.
Added February 2017
Secondary exposure risks to patients in an airborne isolation room: Implications for anteroom design
2016
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Mousavi, E. S., Grosskopf, K. R.
Previous research has shown that negatively pressurized Airborne Infectious Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) can protect hospitals from fatal airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis. But this use of negative pressurization can simultaneously increase the chances of isolated patients contracting secondary infections, or healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by air blowing in from adjacent spaces. Research is needed to better assess the actual likelihood of secondary infections occurring in these scenarios so that steps can be taken to mitigate these risks.
Added December 2016
Analysis of circadian stimulus allowed by daylighting in hospital rooms
2017
Lighting Research and Technology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 49
Pages 49-61
Author(s): Acosta, I, Leslie, R. P., Figueiro, M. G.
Light is the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Compared to the visual system, the circadian system requires more light to be activated and is more sensitive to short-wavelength light. For those confined indoors, such as patients or residents in care facilities, the lack of access to daylight, or electric lighting providing a comparable amount, spectrum, distribution, duration, and timing, may compromise their human health and well-being.
Added November 2016
Key Spatial Factors Influencing the Perceived Privacy in Nursing Units: An Exploration Study With Eight Nursing Units in Hong Kong
2016
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 10
Pages 37-48
Author(s): Lu, Y., Cai, H., Bosch, S. J.
Healthcare designers are faced with a challenging task when trying to balance patient privacy with safety and well-being. While patients typically expect some degree of privacy during their treatment processes, it is also commonly understood that caregivers need appropriate access to them so that proper treatment can be administered.
Added October 2016
An Assessment of Levels of Safety in Psychiatric Units
2016
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 10
Pages 66-80
Author(s): Bayramzadeh, S.
As mental treatment facilities see increases in the number of patients seeking care, facilities face mounting pressure in their attempts to promote patient well-being and safety. The author suggests that there is a lack of systematic empirical studies that examine how the design of mental healthcare facilities contributes to patient care and safety.
Added September 2016
