Sleep in intensive care unit: The role of environment
2017
Journal of Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 37
Pages 99-105
Author(s): Boyko, Y., Jennum, P., Nikolic, M., Holst, R., Oerding, H., Toft, P.
Several previous studies have linked abnormal, often-disrupted patient sleep patterns to impaired immune system function and various detriments to cognitive performance. Patients receiving treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) are often subjected to several variables that can easily disrupt their sleep patterns, such as light, noise, frequent therapeutic procedures, and the patient’s illness or injury itself. Previous studies concerning ICU patient sleep quality largely involved qualitative data from patient-answered questionnaires and typically did not involve populations of severely ill ICU patients.
Added December 2017
A Comparison of Sound Levels in Open Plan Versus Pods in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 10
Pages 30-39
Author(s): Ramm, K., Mannix, T., Parry, Y., Gaffney, M. P.
Noise in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a primary factor for stress for preterm infants, their family, and staff. High sound levels can potentially harm sensorineural systems of the infants. Literature shows that low background sounds are crucial to neurological development of preterm infants.
Added December 2017
Sound as a supportive design intervention for improving health care experience in the clinical ecosystem: A qualitative study
2017
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Journal Article
Author(s): Iyendo, T. O.
As professionals work to make healthcare environments increasingly conducive to the physical and psychological well-being of patients and staff, one variable that garners significant attention by researchers and designers is the overall sound of a given space.
Added September 2017
Noise Reduction in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Initiative
2017
American Journal of Medical Quality
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 33
Pages 177-184
Author(s): Ahamed, M. F., Campbell, D., Horan, S., Rosen, O.
Elevated noise levels are regularly associated with adverse health effects among patients within healthcare environments. Infants are particularly vulnerable to elevated noise levels due to the immaturity of their auditory pathways, implying that neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have an even greater responsibility for reducing noise levels.
Added June 2017
Subjective evaluation of speech privacy at consulting rooms in hospitals: Relationship between feeling evoked by overhearing speech and word intelligibility score
2017
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Author(s): Sato, H., Morimoto, M., Ohtani, S., Hoshino, Y., Sato, H.
Healthcare environments, particularly patient-doctor consulting rooms, are often filled with conversations of a sensitive nature that ideally should be kept private for the well-being of both patients and nearby individuals. Previous studies and relevant standards within healthcare environments have often used speech intelligibility as a subjective measure for assessing speech privacy.
Added June 2017
Factors Affecting Acoustics and Speech Intelligibility in the Operating Room: Size Matters
2017
Anesthesia & Analgesia
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 124
Pages 1978-1985
Author(s): McNeer, R. R., Bennett, C. L., Horn, D. B., Dudaryk, R.
Previous studies have shown that noise levels within healthcare environments have been increasing steadily since 1960. Noise is a prominent source of discomfort for both patients and staff, and can also interfere with important interpersonal communications.
Added June 2017