The impact of sensory stimuli on healthcare workers and outcomes in trauma rooms: A focus group study
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Author(s): Bayramzadeh, S., Ahmadpour, S.
Research demonstrates that excessive sensory stimuli in healthcare settings can negatively impact patient, staff, and organizational outcomes. Because emergency department (ED) trauma areas can be especially chaotic, understanding issues related to noise, lighting, and temperature is the first step toward addressing the problem.
Added December 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
Designing well-being: A qualitative investigation of young patients’ perspectives on the material hospital environment
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 16
Pages 168-181
Author(s): Payam, S., Hossaini, J., Zaschka, K., Friedmann, A., Mall, V.
Healthcare design research often includes user perspectives, but typically focuses on adult input. Young patients can provide useful insights into the remodel of pediatric facilities to better meet their unique needs. Environments tailored to a variety of developmental stages and physical abilities are more welcoming and engaging for young patients.
Added May 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
Aesthetics and dementia: exploring the role of everyday aesthetics in dementia care settings
2022
Design for Health
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 91-113
Author(s): Fleetwood-Smith, R., Tischler, V., Robson, D.
Research shows that dementia, an umbrella term for diseases that affect the brain, is characterized as a condition that causes problems with memory, cognition, and function with activities of daily living. In the United Kingdom, approximately 70% of the population identifying with a form of dementia are residing in a care home environment.
Added January 2023
The psychological impact of the workplace environment in critical care A qualitative exploration
2021
Human Factors in Healthcare
Journal Article
Author(s): Grailey, K., Leon-Villapalos, C., Murray, E., Brett, S. J.
Researchers acknowledge the intersection of cultural and environmental elements of intensive care units and resulting staff perceptions of those elements. Single patient rooms, varying levels of visibility, and workflow issues are just a few of the environmental conditions that have an impact on clinical staff.
Added January 2023
The impact of the healthcare environment on patient experience in the emergency department: A systematic review to understand the implications for patient-centered design
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 310-329
Author(s): Rowe, A, Knox, M.
Research shows that emergency departments (EDs) continue to be undersized, understaffed, and challenged with operational issues that cause decreased patient and provider satisfaction. The ED is at times the initial point of contact for a patient with the healthcare system and may be their first hospital experience
Added December 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
The healthcare workspace: Understanding the role of decentralized nursing stations, corridors, and huddle spaces as locations for teamwork in a neonatal intensive care unit
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 270-282
Author(s): Fay, L., Real, K., Haynes, S.
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) host fragile and vulnerable patients. Research studies on NICUs with a single-family room (SFR) layout demonstrate benefits to both neonates and their parents but the impact on staff remains unclear. The decentralization associated with SFRs may impair teamwork.
Added June 2022
Placing users at the center: Evaluating exam room design for improved user experience
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 152-166
Author(s): Matić, Z., Oh, Y., Lim, L., Zimring, C.
While outpatient exam rooms have remained largely unchanged for the past few decades, limited research suggests that design configurations can influence the quality of care. The relationship of the door, exam table, EHR, and sink can support patient privacy, patient-provider communication, and provider efficiency.
Added June 2022
The demand for specialization and its influence on the design of inpatient nursing units: Can standardized design be done once and for all?
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 15
Pages 154-170
Author(s): Xuan, X., Duan, X., Feng, Z.
Research shows that specialized units, such as psychiatry and intensive care, require built environments that are specific to their patient populations. Medical-surgical units within the same facility typically have similar physical layouts even though they often serve distinct patient populations.
Added April 2022
Clinic design for safety during the pandemic: Safety or teamwork, can we only pick one?
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 15
Pages 28-41
Author(s): Lim, L., Zimring, C. M., DuBose, J. R., Fischer, G. M., Stroebel, R.
Research shows that teamwork improves patient and staff outcomes, reduces medical errors, and enhances quality of care. Teams are more effective when team members work in close proximity, are visually connected, and cross paths throughout the work day, but these practices can be detrimental during a pandemic.
Added April 2022
The hospital of the future: Rethinking architectural design to enable new patient-centered treatment concepts
2022
International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery
Journal Article
Volume 17
Pages 1177-1187
Author(s): Amato, C., McCanne, L., Yang, C., Ostler, D., Ratib, O., Wilhelm, D., Bernhard, L.
The current hospital designs that employ segregated specialty approaches create limitations in involving and communicating between clinical disciplines. In addition, these approaches require the movement of patients between places, which impacts the delivered care and increases the cost and stay durations.
Added January 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
Experiences of sensory overload and communication barriers by autistic adults in health care settings
2022
Autism in Adulthood
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 4
Pages 66-75
Author(s): Strömberg, M., Liman, L., Bang, P., Igelström, K.
Autistic adults have an elevated risk for health problems that can be further exacerbated by stressful and inefficient healthcare experiences. The goal of this study was to identify problematic patterns of sensory and communication experiences for autistic adults. Intense, unpredictable, and uncontrollable environments present barriers to communication and contribute to overstimulation.
Added October 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
Efficiency and teamwork in emergency departments: Perception of staff on design interventions
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 310-323
Author(s): Ahmadpour, S., Bayramzadeh, S., Aghaei, P.
The authors build on previous research regarding emergency department (ED) layout and teamwork. When clinicians can move efficiently in a space that allows for collaboration, both staff and patients benefit.
Added July 2021
Technology integration in complex healthcare environments: A systematic literature review
2021
Applied Ergonomics
Journal Article
Author(s): Bayramzadeh, S., Aghaei, P.
Previous research shows that the way in which information displays and imaging technology are integrated into healthcare environments can impact staff workflows, patient safety, and perceptions of care. Caregivers working in trauma rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and operating rooms (ORs) require frequent access to imaging technology; when these resources are located far away from patients, issues may arise with communication, coordination, and interruptions.
Added May 2021
Emergency physicians’ workstation design: An observational study of interruptions and perception of collaboration during shift-end handoffs
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 174-193
Author(s): Joshi, R., Joseph, A., Ossmann, M., Taaffe, K., Pirrallo, R., Allison, D., Perino, L. C.
Findings from previous studies show that emergency department (ED) workstations do not adequately support teamwork during end-of-shift handoffs, specifically in terms of communication and collaboration. The typical open-plan design in EDs may be good for collaboration in general, but can lead to frequent interruptions during physician handoffs, which puts patient safety at risk.
Added April 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
