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Knowledge Repository

A complete, user-friendly database of healthcare design research references MoreLess about the Knowledge Repository

The Knowledge Repository is a complete, user-friendly database of healthcare design research references that continues to grow with the latest peer-reviewed publications. Start with our Knowledge Repository for all of your searches for articles and research citations on healthcare design topics. Access full texts through the source link, read key point summaries, or watch slidecasts. Expand your search and find project briefs, interviews, and other relevant resources by visiting our Insights & Solutions page.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 21

Acoustical standards and criteria documentation of sustainability in hospital design and construction

Author(s): Evans, J., Himmel, C.
Added June 2016

The Effect of a Safe Zone on Nurse Distractions, Interruptions, and Medication Administration Errors

Author(s): Yoder, M., Schadewald, D.
Added May 2016

Sleep in Hospitalized Elders: A Pilot Study

Author(s): Missildine, K., Bergstrom, N., Meininger, J., Richards, K. & Foreman, M. D.
Sleep complaints are common among elders at home and in the hospital. These complaints include insomnia, difficulty falling sleep, and difficulty maintaining sleep, yet adequate sleep is commonly considered a necessary prerequisite to healing and recovery from illness.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Eye Masks and Earplugs Improve Patient’s Perception of Sleep

Author(s): Jones, C. & Dawson, D.
Sleep disruption is commonly identified as a feature of admission to critical care units. The environment, level of intervention, and patient morbidity are understood to influence patients’ poor experiences of sleep in critical care. This study discusses the impact of the built environment on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients’ sleep.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2016

Impact of the Design of Neonatal Intensive Care Units on Neonates, Staff, and Families: A Systematic Literature Review

Author(s): Shahheidari, M., Homer, C.
The authors indicate that the design of NICUs incorporating single family rooms as evidence indicates this room type contributes to the better development of babies, facilitates increased parental involvement in care, controls infection, and reduces noise and length of stay.
Key Point Summary
Added July 2015

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

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.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Using human factors engineering to improve patient safety in the cardiovascular operating room

Author(s): Gurses, A. P., Martinez, E. A., Bauer, L., Kim, G., Lubomski, L. H., Marsteller, J. A., Pennathur, P. R., Goeschel, C., Pronovost, P. J., Thompson, D.
Cardiac surgery, despite technological and medical advances, involves high risks related to adverse events and medical errors that occur in the operating room. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model was used to guide the research – focusing on the different variables (providers, physical environment, tools and technologies, tasks, organization) in the care environment and the impact of their interaction on patient outcomes.
Key Point Summary
Added March 2015

Ambulatory infusion suite: pre- and post-occupancy evaluation

Author(s): Shepley, M.M., Rybkowski, Z., Aliber, J., Lange, C.
The authors refer to the lack of research on the design of cancer facilities while emphasizing the need to study the impact of the physical environment of infusion suites on patient experience. This study evaluates the perceptions of patients and staff of two infusion suites – old and new, specifically in connection with social interaction, privacy, and access to nature.
Key Point Summary
Added December 2014

Healthcare providers' perception of design factors related to physical environments in hospitals

Author(s): Mourshed, M., Zhao, Y.
Most aspects of the physical environment having an impact on staff outcome are determined during early design stages of a building’s lifecycle. Subsequent modifications at later stages are expensive and sometimes difficult to achieve due to the multidisciplinary nature of design decision making.
Key Point Summary
Added November 2014

The Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Delivery and Its Influence on the Outcome of Care

Author(s): O'Connor, M., O'Brien, A., Bloomer, M., Morphett, J., Peters, L., Hall, H., Parry, A., Recoche, K., Lee, S., Munro, I.
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that in all healthcare settings, the design of discipline-specific space can influence patients and their health outcomes. The contribution of the physical environment to quality of life and well-being is also supported. Healthcare delivery has changed over the last three decades; however, the authors note that some ICUs and emergency departments have not fully adapted to these changes, whereas palliative care and women’s health have adapted to include more family involvement and patient-driven changes. Environments such as labor and delivery units have benefitted from active consumer involvement in design.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Noise and sleep among adult medical inpatients: far from a quiet night

Author(s): Yoder, J. C., Staisiunas, P. G., Meltzer, D. O., Knutson, K. L., Arora, V. M.
Added September 2014

Noise pollution in hospitals: impact on patients

Author(s): Hsu, T., Ryherd, E., Waye, K. P., Ackerman, J.
Added September 2014

Sleep Disruption due to Hospital Noises: A Prospective Evaluation

Author(s): Buxton, O. M., Ellenbogen, J. M., Wang, W., Carballeira, A., O'Connor, S., Cooper, D., Gordhandas, A. J., McKinney, S. M., Solet, J. M.
Hospital noises can have a negative effect on a patient’s sleep pattern. Sleep disruption is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, impaired immunity, and elevated stress. Limited information is available on the connection between specific sounds and sleep physiology.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Creating a culture of safety: reducing hospital noise

Author(s): Mazer, S. E.
Added September 2014

Functional Outcomes of Nursing Home Residents in Relation to Features of the Environment: Validity of the Professional Environmental Assessment Protocol

Author(s): Slaughter, S. E., Morgan, D. G.
Research conducted in different settings shows that specialized environments designed for people with dementia may reduce the rate of functional loss. Different measures have been developed to assess the nursing home environments focused on the features of specialized dementia units. Among them, the Professional Environmental Assessment Protocol (PEAP) was developed to assess the quality of dementia care environments on nine dimensions. Assessment involves subjective evaluation of the physical and social environment on a 5-point scale for each dimension.
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Environmental determinants of quality of life in nursing home residents with severe dementia

Author(s): Garre-Olmo, J., López-Pousa, S., Turon-Estrada, A., Juvinyà, D., Ballester, D., Vilalta-Franch, J.
Studies show that more than 50% of the residents in nursing homes suffer from moderate or severe dementia. The authors refer to literature that indicates that in the last 20 years, the culture of imparting care in nursing homes has evolved from a focus on safety, uniformity, and medical concerns to health promotion and Quality of Life (QOL).
Key Point Summary
Added September 2014

Long-term care physical environments- effect on medication errors

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.
Key Point Summary
Added July 2014

The sound environment in an ICU patient room—a content analysis of sound levels and patient experiences

Author(s): Johansson, L., Bergbom, I., Wayeb, K. P., Ryherd, E., Lindahl, B.
This study was a prestudy for the planning and design of a larger one, where the aim is to investigate the relationship between sound (objective and subjective) and adult intensive care unit (ICU) delirium and/or other factors. It used sound measurement, behavioral observation, and interview methods. The results provide a good list of sound/noise impact on patients and subsequent ICU design considerations.
Key Point Summary
Added January 2014

Achieving EBD Goals Through Flooring Selection & Design

Author(s): Nanda, Upali, Malone, Eileen, Joseph, Anjali
Added April 2013

The effects of material selections on noise levels in two patient care units

Author(s): Frederick, C., Roy, K. P., Taylor, E., Keller, A., Jackson, M., Kinsey, R.
Added March 2013