Operating room design using agent-based simulation to reduce room obstructions
2023
Health Care Management Science
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 26
Pages 261-278
Author(s): Taaffe, K., Ferrand, Y. B., Khoshkenar, A., Fredendall, L., San, D., Rosopa, P., Joseph, A.
Research shows that the operating room layout and design can play an integral role in how a procedure is carried out and how flow disruptions can be minimized to optimize outcomes. Despite past research aimed toward improving room layout and providing recommendations to minimize surgical site infections, there remains a lack of evidence demonstrating how these physical environment factors affect safety and efficiency performance.
Added December 2022
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
The experience of person-centred practice in a 100% single-room environment in acute care settings – a narrative literature review
2018
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 13-14
Volume 28
Pages 2369-2385
Author(s): Kelly, R., Brown, D., McCance, T., Boomer, C.
The increasing number of single-patient rooms in healthcare facilities around the world indicates a heightened focus on person-centered practice (PcP). This practice considers how the workflows and physical designs within healthcare environments influence the overall experiences of patients and staff alike.
Added December 2018
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
‘I want to feel at home’: establishing what aspects of environmental design are important to people with dementia nearing the end of life
2015
BMC Palliative Care
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 14
Pages 26
Author(s): Fleming, R., Kelly, F., Stillfried, G.
As the global population of elderly patients seeking end-of-life care increases, greater attention is being placed on how healthcare environments can work to best provide these patients with the most positive and life-enriching experiences possible.
Added November 2018
The role of the built environment and private rooms for reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections
2018
PLOS ONE
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 13
Pages 12
Author(s): O’Neill, L., Park, S.-H., Rosinia, F.
Private patient rooms in hospital environments are widely considered a helpful defense against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, the ways in which private rooms might help mitigate specific kinds of HAIs, such as central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), remain unclear and relatively unexplored.
Added August 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
Influence of soundscape and interior design on anxiety and perceived tranquillity of patients in a healthcare setting
2016
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 104
Pages 135-141
Author(s): Watts, G., Khan, A., Pheasant, R.
The authors open their paper with a brief introduction on tranquil spaces and their relevance in a healthcare setting – improved hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, and more. According to the authors, tranquil spaces are spaces having a pleasant and calming effect – typically natural environments – specifically defined by low manmade sounds. The authors allude to the necessity of creating...
Added September 2017
Developing family rooms in mental health inpatient units: An exploratory descriptive study
2015
BMC Health Services Research
Journal Article
Author(s): Isobel, S., Foster, K., Edwards, C.
Adult inpatients receiving treatment at mental health facilities often wish to visit with family members. Indeed, previous research indicates that caregivers, consumers, and medical professionals agree that children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) should be able to spend time with their parents for the mutual benefit of both patients and families.
Added June 2017
Bed-integrated local exhaust ventilation system combined with local air cleaning for improved IAQ in hospital patient rooms
2016
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Bivolarova, M. P., Melikov, A. K., Mizutani, C., Kajiwara, K., Bolashikov, Z. D.
Ventilation in patient rooms can contribute to the health and comfort of both patients and staff. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is indeed an important factor in healthcare environments, especially when it comes to mitigating the spread of germs and potentially toxic airborne chemicals. Ventilated mattresses (VMs) can be effective for capturing and removing potentially harmful airborne particles before they spread throughout a given space.
Added June 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
Relationship between Environmental Conditions and Nosocomial Infection Rates in Intensive Care Unit
2017
Medical Journal of Islamic World Academy of Sciences
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 25
Pages 15–18
Author(s): Şimşek, E. M., Grassie, S. S., Emre, C., Gevrek, S. Ç.
Due to the highly vulnerable state of the patients populating intensive care units (ICUs) and the health risks posed to healthcare providers working in ICUs, special attention must be given to the causes and effects of nosocomial infections within these areas.
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
