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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 24

Roles of sunlight and natural ventilation for controlling infection: Historical and current perspectives

Author(s): Hobday, R. A., Dancer, S. J.
Added April 2020

Continuous decontamination of an intensive care isolation room during patient occupancy using 405 nm light technology

Author(s): Maclean, M, Booth, M. G., Anderson, J. G., MacGregor, S. I., Woolsey, G. A., Coia, J. E., Hamilton, K., Gettinby, G.
Added October 2019

Different Types of Door-Opening Motions as Contributing Factors to Containment Failures in Hospital Isolation Rooms

Author(s): Tang, J. W., Nicolle, A., Pantelic, J., Klettner, C. A., Su, R., Kalliomaki, P., Saarinen, P., Koskela, H., Reijula, K., Mustakallio, P., Cheong, D. K. W., Sekhar, C., Tham, K. W., Costa, C.
When under negative pressure, hospital isolation rooms are essential for both the containment of patients emitting airborne infectious agents as well as the protection of other patients from these agents. A plethora of different doors are used in the construction of these rooms, but relatively few studies have analyzed how certain door-opening motions and the passage of healthcare workers through these doors can affect the overall performance of isolation rooms.
Key Point Summary
Added December 2016

Copper Surfaces Reduce the Rate of Healthcare-Acquired Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

Author(s): Salgado, C. D., Sepkowitz, K. A., John, J. F., Cantey, J. R., Attaway, H. H., Freeman, K. D., Sharpe, P. A., Michels, H. T., Schmidt, M. G.
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have been known to substantially increase patient morbidity and mortality, while also creating considerable financial burdens on patients and healthcare providers. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are at higher risk for HAI due to the nature of the ICU environment. Metallic copper surfaces have been known to substantially reduce bacterial concentrations; however, the clinical efficacy of these surfaces in ICUs has not been previously measured.
Key Point Summary
Added October 2016

Health economic evaluation of an infection prevention and control program: Are quality and patient safety programs worth the investment?

Author(s): Raschka, S., Dempster, L., Bryce, E.
Added May 2016

Impact of daylight illumination on reducing patient length of stay in hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Author(s): Joarder, A. R., Price, A. D. F.
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Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Measurement of ventilation and airborne infection risk in large naturally ventilated hospital wards

Author(s): Gilkeson, C. A., Camargo-Valero, M. A., Pickin, L. E., Noakes, C. J.
In healthcare environments, the transmission of airborne pathogens is a matter of concern. Ventilation has been identified as one of the key factors in the risk of infection. The authors indicate that most of the evidence on ventilation and infection risk has been in controlled spaces like operating rooms and isolation rooms, and that naturally ventilated spaces like wards have not been studied. They conducted a series of experiments in an unused ward to measure the transmission of pathogens in conditions of natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and no ventilation.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

HVAC filtration for controlling infectious airborne disease transmission in indoor environments: Predicting risk reductions and operational costs

Author(s): Azimi, P., Stephens, B.
The airborne transmission of infectious pathogens in indoor environments is a matter of concern. The authors refer to different operational and design strategies being used in different buildings to control/limit the spread of these pathogens.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Patient Safety in the Cardiac Operating Room: Human Factors and Teamwork A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Author(s): Wahr, J. A., Prager, R. L., Abernathy, J. H., Martinez, E. A., Salas, E., Seifert, P. C., Groom, R. C., Spiess, B. D., Searles, B. E., Sundt, T. M., Sanchez, J. A., Shappell, S. A., Culig, M. H., Lazzara, E. H., Fitzgerald, D. C., Thourani, V. H., Eghtesady, P., Ikonomidis, J. S., England, M. R., Sellke, F. W., Nussmeier, N. A.
The cardiac surgical operating room is a complex environment, where patient lives are saved or considerably improved with the help of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Although outcomes are improving, adverse events still occur, many of which are preventable. This statement is the result of a review of literature that presented evidence on patient safety and interventions that worked in enhancing patient safety in the cardiac OR.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Daily Disinfection of High-Touch Surfaces in Isolation Rooms to Reduce Contamination of Healthcare Workers’ Hands

Author(s): Kundrapu, S., Sunkesula, V., Jury, L. A., Sitzlar, B. M., Donskey, C. J.
Added November 2014

Recommended standards for newborn ICU design, eighth edition

Author(s): White, R. D., Smith, J. A., Shepley, M. M.
Added November 2014

Assessing the optimal location for alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in a patient room in an intensive care unit

Author(s): Boog, M. C., Erasmus, V., de Graaf, J. M., van Beeck, E. A. H. E., Melles, M, van Beeck, E. F.
The authors allude to literature which says that compliance of hand hygiene (which is crucial to reducing the spread of infectious disease) is low among healthcare workers (HCWs). Literature also shows that alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) improve hand-hygiene compliance by HCWs, which in turn is impacted by location, access to, and visibility of the ABHR dispenser.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Rapid Hospital Room Decontamination Using Ultraviolet (UV) Light with a Nanostructured UV-Reflective Wall Coating

Author(s): Rutala, W. A., Gergen, M. F., Tande, B. M., Weber, D. J.
Added November 2014

Disinfectants used for environmental disinfection and new room decontamination technology

Author(s): Rutala, W. A., Weber, D. J.
Added November 2014

Self-disinfecting surfaces: Review of current methodologies and future prospects

Author(s): Weber, D. J., Rutala, W. A.
Added November 2014

P025: Norovirus inactivation on antimicrobial touch surfaces

Author(s): Keevil, B., Warnes, S.
Added November 2014

Use of Copper Alloy for Preventing Transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Contamination in the Dermatology Ward

Author(s): Niiyama, N., Sasahara, T., Mase, H., Abe, M., Saito, H., Katsuoka, K.
Added November 2014

The Role of Facility Design in Preventing the Transmission of Healthcare-Associated Infections: Background and Conceptual Framework

Author(s): Zimring, C. M., Jacob, J. T., Denham, M. E., Kamerow, D. B., Hall, K. K., Cowan, D. Z., Steinberg, J. P.
Added September 2014

The Role of Facility Design in Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infection: Interventions, Conclusions, and Research Needs

Author(s): Zimring, C. M., Denham, M. E., Jacob, J. T., Kamerow, B. B., Lenfestey, N. F., Hall, K. K., Steinberg, J. P.
Added September 2014

Process Simulation during the Design Process Makes the Difference: Process Simulations Applied to a Traditional Design

Author(s): Traversari, R., Goedhart, R., Schraagen, J. M.
Minimal evidence exists regarding the design implications of using process simulation to assist in the process of designing new operating room (OR) layouts. While the traditional design process for OR layout does incorporate the experiences and insights of users, functionality testing of the OR environment is usually conducted post occupancy.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014