Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Long-term Care: Feasibility and Recent Trends
2014
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 40
Pages 10-14
Author(s): Fitzsimmons, S., Barba, B., Stump, M. & Bonner, E.
This article discusses the use of non-pharmacological interventions as part of an effort to minimize the negative effects of antipsychotic drug use on patients with cognitive impairment or perceived behavioral issues. Aspects of the built environment were included.
Added January 2016
Architectural Design Drives the Biogeography of Indoor Bacterial Communities
2014
PLOS ONE
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 9
Pages e87093
Author(s): Kembel, S. W., Meadow, J. F., O’Connor, T. K., Mhuireach, G., Northcutt, D., Kline, J., Moriyama, M., Brown, G. Z., Bohannan, B. J. M., Green, J. L., White, B. A.
Human beings spend a substantial portion of their time in buildings that are complex ecosystems for microorganisms. Humans come in contact with the built environment microbiome (the microbial communities within buildings) which have the potential to affect their health. The authors suggest that the built environment microbiome can be modified through design to ultimately influence human health.
Added September 2015
Exploring Perceptions of Designers and Medical Staff in South Korea about Design Elements for the Elder-Friendly Hospital
2014
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 39
Pages 15-32
Author(s): Kim, D., Lee, J. H., Ha, M.
The elderly population is growing around the world and so is the geriatric patient population. The authors indicate that despite the fact that the elderly will soon be the primary users of healthcare services, healthcare facilities are not designed for the elderly. In this study, designers and medical staff were asked to rate the importance of 33 design elements in the context of an elder-friendly hospital.
Added August 2015
Comparative Analysis of Hospital Energy Use: Pacific Northwest and Scandinavia
2014
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 8
Pages 20-44
Author(s): Burpee, H., McDade, E.
Today, operational hospitals in the United States consume an enormous amount of energy. This study is an outgrowth of previous research evaluating high-quality, low-energy hos pitals that serve as examples for new high-performance hospital design, construction, and operation.
Added May 2015
Experimental analysis of the transport of airborne contaminants between adjacent rooms at different pressure due to the door opening
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Fontana, L., Quintino, A.
Creating pressurization and depressurization spaces in hospitals is practiced to control airborne contamination. The authors indicate that the literature suggests that turbulence created by the opening and closing of doors between spaces of different pressure allows for the difference in pressure to be overcome and consequently for the transfer of contaminated air into the clean area.
Added May 2015
The influence of human walking on the flow and airborne transmission in a six-bed isolation room: Tracer gas simulation
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Hang, J., Li, Y., Jin, R.
The authors allude to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS and influenza in hospital wards to emphasize the need to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-infected patients. According to the authors, literature indicates that movement of HCWs in hospital wards contributes to the transmission of airborne contaminants. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the movement of a HCW in an isolation ward and its impact on airborne transmission.
Added March 2015
Does a mobile laminar airflow screen reduce bacterial contamination in the operating room? A numerical study using computational fluid dynamics technique
2014
Patient Safety in Surgery
Journal Article
Author(s): Sadrizadeh, S., Tammelin, A., Nielsen, P. V., Holmberg, S.
Surgical-site infections (SSIs) can increase patient morbidity and mortality and extend hospitalization time. Operating room (OR) personnel are the main source of airborne bacteria; a person releases roughly 104 skin scales per minute while walking, 10% of which carry bacteria, although up to 12 times as many microorganisms may be discharged depending on the individual and situation. Bacteria in the OR might contaminate a surgical wound through contact with the air or through contaminated surgical instruments.
Added November 2014
