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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 - 15 of 15

Adapting to Family-Centered Hospital Design: Changes in Providers’ Attitudes over a Two-Year Period

Author(s): France, D., Throop, P., Joers, B., Allen, L., Parekh, A., Rickard, D., Deshpande, J.
Although hospitals are being designed based on evidence-based design principles, it’s unclear how working in such an environment influences providers’ attitudes and professional performance.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

A plasma display window? – the shifting baseline problem in a technologically mediated natural world

Author(s): Kahn, P. H. Jr., Friedman, B., Brian Gill, Hagman, J., Severson, R. L., Freier, N. G., Feldman, E. N., Carrere, S., Stolyar, A.
The general purpose of this study is to test the physical and psychological effects of experiencing nature through a technology medium. Past research has shown that contact with nature can lead to “enjoyment, satisfaction, and increased levels of satisfaction with one’s home, one’s job, and with life in general” (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989, p. 173). So in an fast-changing world of technology-mediated healthcare, the question posed in this study revolves around whether simulated nature scenes can elicit the same health benefits that real nature has shown to produce.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Are call light use and response time correlated with inpatient falls and inpatient dissatisfaction?

Author(s): Tzeng, H. M., Yin, C. Y.
Inpatients use call lights to seek nurses’ assistance. Although implied in patient safety, no studies have analyzed data related to the use of or response time to call lights collected by existing tracking mechanisms monitoring nursing practice.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Why do patients in acute care hospitals fall? Can falls be prevented?

Author(s): Dykes, P. C., Carroll, D. L., Hurley, A. C., Benoit, A., Middleton, B.
Despite a large quantitative evidence base for guiding fall risk assessment and not needing highly technical, scarce, or expensive equipment to prevent falls, falls are serious problems in hospitals.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Outbreak of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and infection secondary to imperfect intensive care unit room design

Author(s): Hota, S., Hirji, Z., Stockton, K., Lemieux, C., Dedier, H., Wolfaardt, G., Gardam, M. A.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infection-causing pathogen that has been associated with a high number of hospital-associated infections (HAIs), especially since the pathogen began developing multidrug resistance. As an increasing number of healthcare facilities are being redesigned, there is a growing need for researchers and designers to understand how pathogens can survive and spread HAIs in the context of these new designs.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Perceived barriers to physical activity among older adults residing in long-term care institutions

Author(s): Chen, Y. M.
It is well documented by the World Health Organization (WHO), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other worldwide healthcare organizations that regular physical activity has several benefits, particularly for the elderly. The detriments to their physical and mental health are also well documented. Yet it is seen that a substantial proportion of the elderly do not pursue physical activity on a regular basis.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Evaluation of Ceiling Lifts in Health Care Settings Patient Outcome and Perceptions

Author(s): Alamgir, H., L,i O. W., Yu, S., Gorman, E., Kidd, C.
Ceiling lifts have been introduced into healthcare settings to reduce manual patient lifting and thus occupational injuries. Although growing evidence supports the effectiveness of ceiling lifts, a paucity of research exists to link indicators, such as quality of patient care or patient perceptions, to the use of these transfer devices.
Key Point Summary
Added August 2014

The effects of refurbishment on residents' quality of life and wellbeing in two Swedish residential care facilities

Author(s): Falk, H., Wijk, H., Persson, L.-O
The prevalence of elderly people with cognitive impairment in Swedish residential care facilities has been estimated to be approximately 50%, usually resulting in integrated populations with both cognitively intact and impaired residents. The physical environment must respond to the changing characteristics of their residents and variations within individuals over time to be able to provide for more than a single stage of fragility.
Key Point Summary
Added May 2014

Inclusive Indoor Play: Children at play

Author(s): Endicott, S., Kar, G., Mullick, A.
Prior research has shown that children with disabilities exhibit a more limited play repertoire than children without disabilities, due to barriers within indoor play environments that do not allow for equitable play amongst all children. This study is one part of the Inclusive Indoor Play project. This research project seeks to develop universal guidelines for design within indoor play environments, and design models of play environments that are inclusive to all children.
Key Point Summary
Added April 2014

Using a Task Analysis to Describe Nursing Work in Acute Care Patient Environments

Author(s): Battisto, D., Pak, R., Vander Wood, M. A., Pilcher, J. J.
A growing body of research demonstrates linkages between workplace design and processes in healthcare facilities with staff and patient safety, operational efficiency, staff satisfaction, and medical errors. There has been less emphasis on the role of the built environment in helping or hindering care delivery. Research is needed on the contextualized activities performed by nurses and how nurses spend their time to measure the effects of interventions aimed at redesigning care to improve safety or efficiency or to understand the implications of policy changes for nursing practice.
Key Point Summary
Added April 2014

Effects of two hospital bed design features on physical demands and usability during brake engagement and patient transportation: A repeated measures experimental study

Author(s): Kim, S., Barker, L. M., Jia, B., Agnew, M. J., Nussbaum, M. A.
Healthcare work is physically demanding and often results in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Most research in this area has focused on patient-handling techniques during activities that require direct patient contact, such as patient transfer. But healthcare providers perform other patient-handling tasks as well, such as engaging bed brakes and transporting patients in beds. These activities could also contribute to WMSDs.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2014

Falls Aren't Us: State of the Science

Author(s): Cozart, H. T., Cesario, S. K.
Falls among the elderly can cause serious injury and sometimes even be fatal. However, in healthcare settings, many of these accidents can be avoided with fall-prevention interventions. The ninth goal of The Joint Commission is environmental intervention and addresses safety features such as patients’ introduction to hospital surroundings, appropriate lighting and noise reduction, call alarms, as well as reachable and available grab rails.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2014

Person-Environment Interactions Contributing to Nursing Home Resident Falls

Author(s): Hill, E. E., Nguyen, T. H., Shaha, M., Wenzel, J. A., DeForge, B. R., Spellbring, A. M.
Falls are common for older adults, with significant consequences, including injuries and even death as well as healthcare costs. However, few studies have looked at environmental factors, such as lighting, equipment, and slippery floor surfaces, as potential risk factors for falls by nursing home residents. This study explores the risk factors associated with resident falls in a nursing home using a focus group.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2014

Direct cellular vs. indirect pager communication during orthopaedic surgical procedures: A prospective study

Author(s): Ortega, G. R., Taksali, S., Smart, R., Baumgaertner, M. R.
Staff-to-staff communication is critical to quality and efficient healthcare. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers all use various methods of communication in their daily work. Difficulties in staff communication often lead to interruptions and delays in patient care, variation in response time, medical errors, violation of privacy, and dissatisfaction in patient and staff.
Key Point Summary
Added October 2012

Effect of Sacred Space Environment on Surgical Patient Outcomes: A Pilot Study

Author(s): Schmock, B. N., Breckenridge, D. M., Benedict, K.
With the growing trend to patient-centered care, nurses are often tasked to evaluate how care is delivered. The perioperative environment is highly technical in nature and is often perceived as cold, while creating a sense of fear in patients. This study's purpose was to create an alternative healing environment (termed a sacred space and comprised of both environmental and nurse behavioral factors) compared to the traditional environment for surgical patients in the operating room (OR).
Key Point Summary
Added October 2012