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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 29

Does the redesign of a psychiatric inpatient unit change the treatment process and outcomes?

Author(s): Urbanoski, K. A., Mulsant, B. H., Novotna, G., Ehtesham, S., Rush, B. R.
The overall “atmosphere” of a psychiatric treatment facility could be defined through the availability of patient autonomy and support from peers, the presence of aggressive behavior within the ward, and the general sense of ward organization and rule enforcement.
Key Point Summary
Added August 2018

How Strongly Programmed is a Strong Programme Building? A Comparative Analysis of Outpatient Clinics in Two Hospitals

Author(s): Sailer, K., Pachilova, R., Kostopoulou, E., Pradinuk, R., MacKinnon, D., Hoofwijk, T.
The spatial configuration of a given building can be classified into one of two popular theoretical categories: weakly programmed or strongly programmed. These terms have become increasingly more commonly used when analyzing the spatial syntax of buildings; however, the authors suggest that their definitions and criteria are not clearly defined.
Key Point Summary
Added May 2017

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

Lost in space: The place of the architectural milieu in the aetiology and treatment of schizophrenia

Author(s): Golembiewski, J.
This article is a theoretical discussion concerning how designed and constructed environments can be significant factors in the psychogenesis of mental illnesses, particularly with non-affective psychoses. The authors believe that the current body of literature is lacking in resources that could help direct design decision-making to positively influence the well-being of mentally ill individuals. Discussing this matter may help identify specific qualities of the built environment that appear to be aetiologically related to psychosis.
Key Point Summary
Added June 2016

The effect of hospital layout on caregiver-patient communication patterns

Author(s): Pachilova, R., Sailer, K.
This article suggests that the field of evidence-based design (EBD), which considers information from case evaluations and credible research during design-related decision processes, has only marginally examined hospital layouts and their effects. As a result, this study attempts to build on the tradition of “Space Syntax” research, which is a theory that explores how space controls and generates encounters between inhabitants and visitors of certain spaces and how these two groups engage in communication.
Key Point Summary
Added June 2016

Multi-period layout planning for hospital wards

Author(s): Arnolds, I. V., Nickel, S.
Added May 2016

Specialized Design for Dementia

Author(s): Habell, M.
Designing for people with dementia is a major need in elderly care buildings. However, it is difficult to design for this population, as the parameters of dementia itself are often vague. The author also notes that the registration requirements in the UK for a care home make no distinction between the type of dementia or the severity of the dementia.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Driving Efficient Flow: Three Best-Practice Models

Author(s): Baker, S. J., Shupe, R., Smith, D.
Added December 2015

Impact of the physical environment of psychiatric wards on the use of seclusion

Author(s): van der Schaaf, P. S., Dusseldorp, E., Keuning, F. M., Janssen, W. A., Noorthoorn, E. O.
Disturbed behavior and patient aggression within psychiatric wards can threaten both patient and staff safety. To manage these patients, psychiatric wards often will use coercive measures such as solitary confinement. Patient aggression arises from a complex interaction between patient characteristics, staff characteristics, and the characteristics of the physical environment of the psychiatric ward itself. Most studies have focused on the dynamics between patient and staff characteristics; little research has been done to investigate how the physical environment of psychiatric wards might influence patient aggression and subsequently the use of coercive measures.
Key Point Summary
Added October 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

Accessibility for mental healthcare

Author(s): Chrysikou, E.
Mental health facilities, according to the author, are designed and built to limit the mobility of patients, whether or not they are limited by physical disability. While physical mobility may be a consequence of the illness, in other cases the potential flight risk of a patient may require the facility policy to be restrictive regarding patient access to open spaces.
Key Point Summary
Added December 2014

Improved Efficiency and Safety for EVAR with Utilization of a Hybrid Room

Author(s): Varu, V. N., Greenberg, J. I., Lee, J. T.
The authors allude to technological advances like image-guided and catheter-based interventions in connection with contemporary vascular surgery in recent years. They indicate that with procedures becoming more complex, dedicated interventional suites with suitably trained and experienced staff were becoming a necessity.
Key Point Summary
Added December 2014

NICU redesign from open ward to private room: A longitudinal study of parent and staff perceptions

Author(s): Swanson, J. R., Peters, C., Lee, B. H.
For the past 20 years, floor plans incorporating single-patient room designs have been growing in popularity, especially in the context of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The differences between private-room (PR) floor plans and open-ward (OW) floor plans have been thoroughly studied, with previous research showing how OW NICUs can limit privacy and generate other negative environmental effects for patients and family members.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Factors influencing evaluation of patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas by healthcare professionals

Author(s): Sadatsafavi, H., Walewski, J., Shepley, M. M.
One important element of high-quality healthcare delivery is a motivated and satisfied staff. Healthcare executives should regularly examine the factors that influence clinicians’ perceptions of satisfaction and quality so that necessary changes can be addressed.
Key Point Summary
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

Systematic review: Effective characteristics of nursing homes and other residential long-term care settings for people with dementia

Author(s): Zimmerman, S., Anderson, W. L., Brode, S., Jonas, D., Lux, D., Beeber, A. S., Watson, L. C., Viswanathan, M., Lohr, K. N., Sloane, P. D.
Added November 2014

A controlled evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency department: the ‘Emergency Frailty Unit’

Author(s): Conroy, S. P., Ansari, K., Williams, M., Laithwaite, E., Teasdale, B., Dawson, J., Mason, S., Banerjee, J.
Referring to data from emergency departments (EDs) in England, the authors infer that as the number of elderly grow, so does their number attending emergency departments. The data also shows that almost 62% of seniors (80 years and over) visiting EDs in England are transferred to hospitals for further treatment. Literature indicates that such transfers result in increased use of resources, higher risk of adverse events, longer stays, and higher rates of readmission and use of long-term facilities.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Building an ethical environment improves patient privacy and satisfaction in the crowded emergency department: a quasi-experimental study

Author(s): Lin, Y.-K., Lee, W.-C., Kuo, L.-C., Cheng, Y.-C., Lin, C.-J., Lin, H.-L., Chen, C.-W., Lin, T.Y.
Added November 2014

Effect of intensive care environment on family and patient satisfaction: a before–after study

Author(s): Jongerden, I. P., Slooter, A. J., Peelen, L. M., Wessels, H., Ram, C. M., Kesecioglu, J., Schneider, M. M., van Dijk, D.
Intensive care units or ICUs are changing from multi-bed units to single-patient room units. According to the authors, these changes may have an impact on family satisfaction. With the patient often in a critical non-communicative position, it falls on family members to make decisions and evaluate satisfaction.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

Fall Prevention for Inpatient Oncology Using Lean and Rapid Improvement Event Techniques

Author(s): Wolf, L., Costantinou, E., Limbaugh, C., Rensing, K., Gabbart, P., Matt, P.
Added September 2014