Knowledge Repository

Added May 2016

Destination Bedside

2012

The Journal of Nursing Administration

Journal Article

Issue 5

Volume 42

Pages 256-265

Author(s): Watkins, N., Kennedy, M., Lee, N., O’Neill, M., Peavey, E., DuCharme, M., & Padula, C.

Patient-centered care (PCC) has been at the core of healthcare reform. Improvements and advancements in Healthcare Information Technology (HIT), Electronic Health Records and inpatient unit layout have been some means that aim to achieve PCC. Also key to PCC is the alleviation of medical errors, which HIT and related technology can help achieve.

Added January 2016

Healing environment: A review of the impact of physical environmental factors on users

2012

Building and Environment

Journal Article

Volume 58

Pages 70-80

Author(s): Huisman, E. R. C. M., Morales, E., van Hoof, J., Kort, H. S. M.

According to the authors, research that examines the physical environment and its impact on the healing and well-being of human beings has been growing in the last several years. There is increasing availability of literature on evidence-based design.

Added March 2015

Designing for distractions: a human factors approach to decreasing interruptions at a centralised medication station

2012

BMJ Quality & Safety

Journal Article

Issue 11

Volume 21

Pages 939-947

Author(s): Colligan, L., Guerlain, S., Steck, S. E., Hoke, T. R.

According to the authors, literature indicates that interruptions during the administration of medication in healthcare settings can lead to errors, and that such errors are likely to cause more harm in pediatric settings. The medication station in the study hospital is centrally located with an open design targeted to reduce nurse walking and increase time with patients.

Added December 2014

Physical Environments That Promote Safe Medication Use

2012

Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Journal Article

Issue 7

Volume 37

Pages 377-378

Author(s): Grissinger, M.

Added November 2014

The Effect of Hospital Unit Layout on Nurse Walking Behavior

2012

HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 6

Pages 66-82

Author(s): Yi, L., Seo, H.-B.

Over the course of a typical shift, nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, walking back and forth on the unit to take care of patients' needs. The long distances that nurses walk is a topic of concern in the industry. Some believe it may potentially impact the amount of time spent with patients and also because of the physical toll on nurses, day after day. Researchers are attempting to understand whether unit layout and design might be revised to reduce walking distances and create efficiencies that enhance patient care.

Added September 2014

Long-term care physical environments- effect on medication errors

2012

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

Journal Article

Issue 5

Volume 25

Pages 431-441

Author(s): Mahmood, A., Chaudhury, H., Gaumont, A., Rust, T.

Medication errors contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality, and are associated with considerable healthcare costs, as well. The human and financial costs following preventable medical errors are high; data in the United States suggest an estimated 44,000 inpatients die each year from preventable medical errors. Nationally, preventable adverse event costs have been estimated at $17 billion.