Optimizing floor plans of accessible restrooms in elderly long-term care facilities: A path planning approach
2023
Architectural Engineering and Design Management
Journal Article
Author(s): Yuan, H., Shen, X.
Research demonstrates that diminished core strength and mobility can make it difficult for the elderly using wheelchairs or walkers (EUWW) to navigate confined restroom spaces. Ensuring adequate room to maneuver within restrooms can support the independence and self-esteem of EUWW and reduce the physical workload of caregivers.
Added November 2023
How Visibility May Reduce Security Issues in Community Hospitals’ Emergency Departments
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Author(s): Gharaveis, A., Hamilton, D. K., Pati, D., Shepley, M. M., Rodiek, S., McCall, D.
Research shows that many environmental factors have been employed to improve emergency department (ED) safety. Visibility as a design factor, an operational factor, and a layout characteristic can be leveraged to improve both safety and care efficiency.
Added August 2023
From stressful to mindful: Reactions to a proposed emergency department design for enhancing mindfulness and stress reduction among healthcare clinical staff
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 16
Pages 82-102
Author(s): Valipoor, S., Bosch, S. J., Chiu, L. Y. T.
Research demonstrates that clinician burnout is a significant issue, especially in high-stress areas like emergency departments (EDs). Intentionally designed environmental features may serve to promote clinician well-being and mollify work-related stress.
Added May 2023
On the restorative break: Understanding the role of break room design on nurse engagement and satisfaction
2023
Workplace Health & Safety
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 71
Pages 329-336
Author(s): Lorusso, L., Ossmann, M., Orozco, T., Lawson, L.
Research demonstrates that breaks are important in mitigating the physical, cognitive, and emotional demands of nursing work. It is important that nursing unit break areas are not only accessible but also restorative.
Added April 2023
Coping and caregiving: Leveraging environmental design to moderate stress among healthcare workers in the emergency department setting
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 16
Pages 261-277
Author(s): Bosch, S. J., Valipoor, S., Alakshendra, A., De Portu, G., Mohammadigorji, S., Rittenbacher, D., Black, K., Calienes, E.
Research demonstrates that healthcare work is demanding and emergency departments (EDs) are known to be particularly stressful. There is a lack of information about relationships between the built environment and the behaviors clinicians use to cope with work-related stress.
Added February 2023
Effects of the physical environment on children and families in hospital-based emergency departments: A systematic literature review
2023
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Author(s): Gripko, M., Joseph, A., MohammadiGorji, S.
The emergency department (ED) environment is often a very stressful place, especially for young children and their families. Previous studies show that highly stimulating environments may increase anxiety. There are many complex relationships among the physical environment and healthcare outcomes in the emergency department, and themes in this study include control, positive distractions, family and social supports, and designing for a safe and comfortable experience.
Added February 2023
Environmental transformations enhancing dignity in an acute psychiatric ward: Outcome of a user-driven service design project
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 55-72
Author(s): Faerden, A., Rosenqvist, C., Håkansson, M., Strøm-Gundersen, E., Stav, Å., Svartsund, J., Røssæg, T., Davik, N., Kvarstein, E., Pedersen, G., Dieset, I., Nyrud, A. Q., Weedon-Fekjær, H., Kistorp, K. M.
Research shows that the concept of dignity within psychiatric health seclusion is reflected mainly in patient care delivery rather than the environmental components of a healthcare setting. Still common are sparsely furnished rooms, white paint, and limited access to natural light or views of the outdoors.
Added December 2022
Using an accessible room multisensory stimulation environment to reduce dementia associated behaviors
2022
Journal of Long-Term Care
Journal Article
Author(s): Prince, D. M., Fogarty, K. J., VanGeest, J. B., Eberth, S. D.
A growing body of literature supports using multisensory stimulation environment (MSSE) rooms to improve Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). While enclosed MSSE applications have been tested, due to restrictions for enclosed-room access and caregiver shortages there is a need to evaluate outcomes associated with open-access MSSE areas.
Added December 2022
An experimental research on the impact of spatial configurations of complex hospitals on human wayfinding performances
2022
IDA: International Design and Art Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 4
Pages 235-251
Author(s): Aksoy, E., Aydın, D., İskifoğlu, G.
Research shows that human wayfinding behavior in hospitals depends on the spatial configuration of an environment. As successful wayfinding also depends on cognitive abilities, the crowded and busy hospital setting, compounded with any emotional distress, causes challenges for people when navigating the facility.
Added December 2022
Ventilation performance evaluation of a negative-pressurized isolation room for emergency departments
2022
Healthcare
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 10
Pages 193
Author(s): Wang, F., Permana, I., Chaerasari, C., Lee, K., Chang, T., Rakshit, D.
Since the emergence of COVID-19, healthcare facilities are expected to be well equipped and flexible in their efforts to both treat patients and protect staff. Emergency Department (ED) isolation rooms are considered a potentially effective way to protect both staff and infected patients; however, further research is needed to understand how best to design an isolation room for an ED.
Added August 2022
Cross-cultural design and healthcare waiting rooms for indigenous people in regional Australia
2022
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 54
Pages 89-115
Author(s): O’Rourke, T., Nash, D., Haynes, M., Burgess, M., Memmott, P.
There is a lack of research exploring how modern medical waiting areas are perceived by Indigenous populations, and how these spaces might be improved to enhance the delivery of care.
Added August 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
An exploratory study testing environmental wayfinding aids as an intervention for children with autism
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 114-130
Author(s): Irish, J. E. N.
Previous research has found that some people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties navigating complex physical environments, such as hospitals. Previous research has also indicated that due to the hypersensitive nature of some people living with ASD, sensitive environmental designs may be especially important for them.
Added July 2022
Patient and clinician engagement with health information in the primary care waiting room: A mixed methods case study
2019
Journal of Public Health Research
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 8
Pages 1476
Author(s): Penry Williams, C., Elliott, K., Gall, J., Woodward-Kron, R.
Health literacy (i.e., the ability to understand medical information) is a big part of how people make decisions about their health. The availability of health information in waiting rooms has the potential to provide education to people who may not otherwise have access.
Added February 2022
Impact of distance on stroke inpatients’ mobility in rehabilitation clinics: a shadowing study
2021
Building Research & Information
Journal Article
Issue 1-2
Volume 50
Pages 74-88
Author(s): Kevdzija, M., Marquardt, G.
Failure to rehabilitate after experiencing a stroke frequently results in a patient’s admission to long-term care. There is a need to understand how size and spatial configuration of rehabilitation settings can support wayfinding and help patients overcome mobility barriers.
Added December 2021
Investigating the Feasibility of Multisensory Environments to Improve the Assisted Bathing Experience for Veterans with Dementia: A Clinical Trial
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 15
Pages 180-195
Author(s): Lorusso, L., Bosch, S., Park, N.-K., Shorr, R., Conroy, M., Ahrentzen, S., Freytes, M.
While multisensory environments (MSE) are generally regarded as therapeutic for people with dementia, this study was undertaken to understand the behavioral effects of MSE stimulus during bathing for veterans with dementia. Following the evaluation of MSE use in a bathing room representative of most found in long-term care settings, the study authors concluded that the exhibition of increased positive behaviors and decreased negative behaviors supports a functional relationship between improved bathing responses and multisensory interventions.
Added November 2021
Influences of physical layout and space on patient safety and communication in ambulatory oncology practices: A multisite, mixed method investigation
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 270-286
Author(s): Fauer, A., Wright, N., Lafferty, M., Harrod, M., Manojlovich, M., Friese, C. R.
Data from 2016 to 2020 indicate that the market for ambulatory oncology services is expanding, presenting a need for a deeper understanding of how the physical space of these environments influences clinician work processes and patient safety.
Added July 2021
Mental health outcome measures in environmental design research: A critical review
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 14
Pages 331-357
Author(s): Shin, J., Dennis, S., Mohammed, H.
While recent studies show a relationship between well-being and the built environment, few focus specifically on mental health. This study found that access to nature and other design elements of the built environment can improve positive affect (pleasurable feelings), vitality (energy or aliveness), executive functioning (memory, concentration), mood, and general well-being—while also decreasing cortisol (stress).
Added May 2021
Evaluation of nosocomial infection control measures to minimize the risk of aspergillus dispersion during major demolition work: A case study of a Japanese university hospital
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 58-74
Author(s): Nakanishi, Y., Kasahara, K., Koizumi, A., Tokutani, J., Yoshihara, S., Mikasa, K., Imamura, T.
Aspergillus species (spp), can be dispersed during activities such as construction, renovation, and demolition. The infection control risk assessment (ICRA) tool was developed in part to counteract the spread of infection in these situations.
Added May 2021
Staff perspectives on the role of physical environment in long-term care facilities on dementia care in Canada and Sweden
2021
Dementia
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 20
Pages 2558-2572
Author(s): Lee, S. Y., Hung, L., Chaudhury, H., Morelli, A.
Physical environment design interventions are used to benefit people with dementia living in care settings, but the influences on those providing care is unknown. Care settings that support care practices for people living with dementia have both positive and negative effects on social interaction and care practice.
Added April 2021
