Impact of indoor environmental quality on occupant well-being and comfort: A review of the literature
2016
International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 5
Pages 1-11
Author(s): Al Horr, Y., Arif, M., Katafygiotou, M., Mazroei, A., Kaushik, A., Elsarrag, E.
Added July 2018
Low stimulus environments: reducing noise levels in continuing care
2016
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 5
Pages 1-4
Author(s): Brown, J., Fawzi, W., Shah, A., Joyce, M., Holt, G., McCarthy, C., Stevenson, C., Marange, R., Shakes, J., Solomon-Ayeh, K.
This article highlights a project that aimed to reduce levels of intrinsic background noise on an adult mental health ward. Following intervention, the ward was able to decrease the background noise decibel level from 60dB to 53dB (on average).
Added November 2016
Surface Finish Materials: Considerations for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2016
Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 16
Pages 203-207
Author(s): Harris, D.
In this literature review, it is shown that a growing body of research has been focusing on how surface material finishes within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can contribute to the operational, clinical, and social aspects of health outcomes.
Added September 2016
Enhancing the Skin Performance of Hospital Buildings in the UAE
2016
Journal of Building Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Taleb, H. M.
Added July 2016
High bacterial load of indoor air in hospital wards: the case of University of Gondar teaching hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
2016
Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 11
Pages 1-7
Author(s): Gizaw, Zemichael, Gebrehiwot, Mulat, Yenew, Chalachew
Added July 2016
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in premise plumbing of large buildings
2016
MicrobiologyOpen
Journal Article
Author(s): Bédard, E., Prévost, M., Déziel, E.
Added July 2016
Considerations for choosing appropriate healthcare waste management treatment technologies: a case study from an East Midlands NHS Trust, in England
2016
Journal of Cleaner Production
Journal Article
Author(s): Lee, S., Vaccari, M., Tudor, T.
Hospitals have the potential to significantly improve their socioeconomic and environmental conditions through the implementation of sound policies that are backed by solid research. Developing a strong evidence base for such policy decisions is therefore imperative. The National Health Service (NHS) is among the largest organizations in the United Kingdom, and is also very energy intensive and a prolific producer of waste
Added June 2016
Sustainable healthcare design: Existing challenges and future directions for an environmental, economic, and social approach to sustainability
2016
Facilities
Journal Article
Issue 5/6
Volume 34
Pages 264-288
Author(s): Zadeh, R. S., Xuan, X., Shepley, M. M.
Added June 2016
Performance Evaluation of 32 LEED Hospitals on Operation Costs
Volume 145
Pages 1234-1241
Author(s): Sadatsafavi, H., Shepley, M. M.
As healthcare needs increase, providers strive to reduce operational costs while simultaneously increasing healthcare facility construction and renovation efforts. At the same time, certification programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) are examples of the emerging concerns regarding the environmental impact of healthcare facilities. The authors note that the number of studies documenting the benefits of more “green” facilities is limited; however, they hypothesize that upon comparing LEED-certified hospitals with uncertified ones, the LEED facilities will prove to have lower-than-average maintenance costs.
Added June 2016
Analysis of Credits Earned by LEED Healthcare Certified Facilities
Author(s): Golbazi, M., Aktas, C. B.
Green buildings have garnered widespread public support due to the positive impacts they are perceived to have on the environment, the economy, and society as a whole. The concept of green building design appeals to institutions because of its potential benefit for the indoor and outdoor environment as well as its potential for improving public image. As a result, there may be hospitals that become certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system but aren’t actually providing a green healthcare environment that positively influences patients and their periods of recovery. This is an important distinction since the core purpose of healthcare facilities is to improve the conditions of the sick and vulnerable, as well as society overall.
Added June 2016
Understanding Green Building Design and Healthcare Outcomes: Evidence-Based Design Analysis of an Oncology Unit
2016
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Campion, N., Thiel, C. L., Focareta, J., Bilec, M. M.
The United States healthcare industry is a major part of the economy as well as a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental issues. Green building design (GBD) attempts to offset environmental impacts of buildings, and recently designers have been combining GBD with evidence-based design (EBD) in order to create facilities that positively impact both the external and internal environment.
Added June 2016
