Low stimulus environments: reducing noise levels in continuing care
2016
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 5
Pages 1-4
Author(s): Brown, J., Fawzi, W., Shah, A., Joyce, M., Holt, G., McCarthy, C., Stevenson, C., Marange, R., Shakes, J., Solomon-Ayeh, K.
This article highlights a project that aimed to reduce levels of intrinsic background noise on an adult mental health ward. Following intervention, the ward was able to decrease the background noise decibel level from 60dB to 53dB (on average).
Added November 2016
Surface Finish Materials: Considerations for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2016
Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 16
Pages 203-207
Author(s): Harris, D.
In this literature review, it is shown that a growing body of research has been focusing on how surface material finishes within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can contribute to the operational, clinical, and social aspects of health outcomes.
Added September 2016
Impact of the Physical Environment of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities (RHCSF) on Staff and Residents A Systematic Review of the Literature
2015
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 48
Pages 1203-1241
Author(s): Joseph, A., Choi, Y.-S., Quan, X.
Strategies related to the design of the built environment should be considered within the context of the culture of the organization and the resident population. This study of the physical environment of residential health, care, and support facilities addresses the range of settings and population, where other studies have been lacking. The literature review strongly suggests that the built environment is an important component of care provided in residential care settings.
Added May 2016
Home Modification and Prevention of Frailty Progression in Older Adults: A Japanese Prospective Cohort Study
2014
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 40
Pages 40-46
Author(s): Mitoku, K., Shimanouchi, S.
In a study involving 574 Japanese adults 65 years or older who required a low or moderate level of care, 34% modified their homes over the course of the study. Modification of these older adults’ homes prevented the progression of frailty (requiring higher level of care).
Added January 2016
Implications of the emergency department triage environment on triage practice for clients with a mental illness at triage in an Australian context
2014
Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 17
Pages 23-29
Author(s): Broadbent, M., Moxham, L., Dwyer, T.
Emergency departments (EDs) in Australia have been seeing an increase in recent years in the number of patients presenting with mental illness. This study aims to determine if the triage environment of the ED influences the triage practice of ED nurses. Using an ethnographic approach, the research found that ED nurses felt that triaging mentally ill patients in an area that is very public, noisy, and lacks privacy can impact their ability to effectively conduct assessments and manage patients.
Added October 2015
Building design and performance: A comparative longitudinal assessment of a children's hospital
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Thiel, C. L., Needy, K. L., Ries, R., Hupp, D., Bilec, M. M.
The aesthetics and design of a medical treatment facility can influence energy consumption, staff performance, and patient recovery. Evidence-Based Design (EBD) has been cited in many studies as an effective way to improve healthcare outcomes and hospitals’ performance, but further investigation is needed. This is particularly true at a whole-building level, to reveal the relationship between building design and health, and to observe the performance of newer building designs, especially with regard to green healthcare buildings.
Added November 2014
Promoting walking among older adults living in retirement communities
2012
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 20
Pages 379-394
Author(s): Rosenberg, D. E., Kerr, J., Sallis, J. F., Norman, G. J., Calfas, K., Patrick, K.
The authors tested the feasibility and acceptability, and explored the outcomes, of 2 walking interventions based on ecological models among older adults living in retirement communities. An enhanced intervention (El) was compared with a standard walking intervention (SI) among residents in 4 retirement facilities (N = 87 at baseline; mean age = 84.1 yr). All participants received a walking...
Added September 2014
Nurses’ Perception of Single-Occupancy Versus Multioccupancy Rooms in Acute Care Environments: An Exploratory Comparative Assessment
2006
Applied Nursing Research
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 19
Pages 118-125
Author(s): Chaudhury, H., Mahmood, A., Valente, M.
As people are living longer and the baby boomers age, the demand for hospital beds will increase. As new facilities are built to handle this influx of patients, the challenge for hospital designers and administrators is to design patient rooms that promote therapeutic goals, foster positive patient outcomes, and function as intensive care rooms. Recent research suggests that single-occupancy rooms are more suitable for infection control and patient care than multioccupancy rooms. However, no research has been done about nursing staff members’ perception of single-occupancy and multioccupancy patient rooms in acute care settings as it relates to patient care.
Added April 2014
Impact of Medication Storage Cabinets on Efficient Delivery of Medication and Employee Frustration
2010
Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 25
Pages 352-357
Author(s): Hull, T., Czirr, L. , Wilson, M.
Safe medication administration is essential to ensuring positive patient outcomes and is a priority in healthcare institutions. Recent innovations in technology and automation are designed to eliminate errors as well as move activities closer to the patient’s bedside to improve nursing workflow. It has been postulated that moving medications and supplies closer to the point of care reduces nurses’ traveling time and makes it easier to administer medication.
Added January 2014
The accelerated reduction and elimination of toxics in Canada: the case of mercury-containing medical instruments in Quebec hospital centres
1995
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
Journal Article
Issue 1-4
Volume 80
Pages 1199-1202
Author(s): Guerrier, P., Weber, P., Cote, R., Paul, M., Rhainds, M.
Added October 2012
The healing environment in our communities and healthcare settings: research excellence into practice
2005
Clinical Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 5
Pages 296-8
Author(s): Craft, N.
Added October 2012
Economy-wide estimates of the implications of climate change: Human health
2006
Ecological Economics
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 58
Pages 579-591
Author(s): Bosello, F., Roson, R., Tol, R.
Added October 2012
A 17-month evaluation of a chlorine dioxide water treatment system to control Legionella species in a hospital water supply
2003
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 24
Pages 575
Author(s): Arjun, S., Gregory, B., Tracy, R., Karen, M., et al.
Added October 2012
The Road Ahead: The Need to Clarify and Re-Conceptualize Healing Environments
2007
Environmental Design Research Association
Conference Proceedings
Author(s): Kuo, N., Hui, C.
Added October 2012
Transforming care in children's hospitals through environmental design: Literature Review
2008
Evidence for Innovation: Transforming Children's Health Through the Physical Environment
Book Section
Author(s): Joseph, A., Keller, A., Kronick, K.
Added October 2012
