Healing environments in cancer treatment and care. Relations of space and practice in hematological cancer treatment
2013
Acta Oncologica
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 52
Pages 440-446
Author(s): Høybye, M. T.
The author refers to the growing contribution of design in shaping hospitals that are environments of healing. This study aims to widen the understanding of these healing environments in the context of its social dynamics. The research involved an ethnographic study of patients undergoing treatment for hematological cancer in a hospital in Denmark.
Added May 2015
Ambient light levels and critical care outcomes
2013
Journal of Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 28
Pages 110.e1-110.e8
Author(s): Verceles, A. C., Liu, X., Terrin, M. L., Scharf, S. M., Shanholtz, C., Harris, A., Ayanleye, B, Parker, A., Netzer, G.
Several U.S. healthcare agencies endorse a guideline that requires the construction of windows in patient care rooms so that naturally regulated sunlight can contribute to interior ambient lighting. This recommendation has been adopted by agencies in 46 U.S. states. Few studies have analyzed the association between light levels and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. No previous studies have quantitatively measured light levels or assessed intermediate factors such as analgesic use.
Added March 2015
Realizing improved patient care through human-centered operating room design: A human factors methodology for observing flow disruptions in the cardiothoracic operating room
2013
Anesthesiology
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 119
Pages 1066-1077
Author(s): Palmer, G., Abernathy, J. H., Swinton, G., Allison, D., Greenstein, J., Shappell, S., Juang, K., Reeves, S. T.
The authors indicate that disruptions in the workflow of surgeries can extend surgery times and contribute to the escalation of healthcare costs.
Added March 2015
Patient Safety in the Cardiac Operating Room: Human Factors and Teamwork A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
2013
Circulation
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 128
Pages 1139-1169
Author(s): Wahr, J. A., Prager, R. L., Abernathy, J. H., Martinez, E. A., Salas, E., Seifert, P. C., Groom, R. C., Spiess, B. D., Searles, B. E., Sundt, T. M., Sanchez, J. A., Shappell, S. A., Culig, M. H., Lazzara, E. H., Fitzgerald, D. C., Thourani, V. H., Eghtesady, P., Ikonomidis, J. S., England, M. R., Sellke, F. W., Nussmeier, N. A.
The cardiac surgical operating room is a complex environment, where patient lives are saved or considerably improved with the help of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Although outcomes are improving, adverse events still occur, many of which are preventable. This statement is the result of a review of literature that presented evidence on patient safety and interventions that worked in enhancing patient safety in the cardiac OR.
Added March 2015
Factors influencing evaluation of patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas by healthcare professionals
2013
Indoor and Built Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Sadatsafavi, H., Walewski, J., Shepley, M. M.
One important element of high-quality healthcare delivery is a motivated and satisfied staff. Healthcare executives should regularly examine the factors that influence clinicians’ perceptions of satisfaction and quality so that necessary changes can be addressed.
Added November 2014
A better physical environment in the workplace means higher well-being? A study with healthcare professionals
2013
Psyecology: Revista Bilingüe de Psicología Ambiental / Bilingual Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 4
Pages 89-110
Author(s): Campos-Andrade, C., Hernández-Fernaud, E., Lima, M.-L.
Referring to literature that points to the physical and psychological demands of healthcare work, the authors note that a negative physical environment can add to stress, burnout, and the possibility of error in addition to having repercussions for the health and well-being of the workers. Noise levels, unit configuration, and patient room type (single or multi-bed) are some of the environmental factors that have been studied and found to affect the experience and well-being of nurses.
Added November 2014
Noise stress for patients in hospitals - a literature survey
2013
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 133
Pages 3553
Author(s): Notbohm, G., Siegmann, S.
Added November 2014
Effect of intensive care environment on family and patient satisfaction: a before–after study
2013
Intensive Care Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 39
Pages 1626-1634
Author(s): Jongerden, I. P., Slooter, A. J., Peelen, L. M., Wessels, H., Ram, C. M., Kesecioglu, J., Schneider, M. M., van Dijk, D.
Intensive care units or ICUs are changing from multi-bed units to single-patient room units. According to the authors, these changes may have an impact on family satisfaction. With the patient often in a critical non-communicative position, it falls on family members to make decisions and evaluate satisfaction.
Added November 2014
Design for the post-antibiotic era: experiences from a new building for infectious diseases in Malmö, Sweden
2013
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 6
Pages 27-52
Author(s): Holmdahl, T., Lanbeck, P.
Healthcare facilities must carefully consider how facilities are designed as infection control mechanisms evolve.
Added September 2014
Effects of patient-directed music intervention on anxiety and sedative exposure in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support: a randomized clinical trial
2013
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal Article
Issue 22
Volume 309
Pages 2335-2344
Author(s): Chlan, L. L., Weinert, C. R., Heiderscheit, A., Tracy, M. F., Skaar, D. J., Guttormson, J. L., Savik, K.
Critically ill patients receiving treatment through mechanical ventilation (MV) are often given intravenous sedative and analgesic medications in order to reduce anxiety and promote ventilator synchrony and comfort. However, since these medications are often administered at high doses for long periods of time, they are frequently associated with various adverse health effects that can complicate healing and ultimately create more anxiety in the patient. Interventions that reduce anxiety with minimal use of sedative medications are needed.
Added September 2014
Effect of hospital noise on patients' ability to hear, understand, and recall speech
2013
Research in Nursing & Health
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 36
Pages 228-41
Author(s): Pope, D. S., Gallun, F. J., Kampel, S.
Added September 2014
Effect of noise on auditory processing in the operating room
2013
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 216
Pages 933-8
Author(s): Way, T. J., Long, A., Weihing, J., Ritchie, R., Jones, R., Bush, M., Shinn, J. B.
Noise in operating rooms (ORs), defined as any unwanted sound impeding on normal hearing, can be grouped into two categories: equipment-related noise and staff-created noise. Equipment-related noise can come from anesthesia equipment and alarms, suction devices, or surgical instruments such as cautery devices, dissection tools, and drills. Staff-created noise can come from opening and closing doors, conversations, overhead pages, and music. All of these noise sources contribute to the average ambient noise in ORs, which is 65 dBA with peak levels reaching120 dBA.
Added September 2014
Noise levels in a burn intensive care unit
2013
Burns
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 39
Pages 44-8
Author(s): Cordova, A. C., Logishetty, K., Fauerbach, J., Price, L. A., Gibson, B. R., Milner, S. M.
Added September 2014
Role of a Service Corridor in ICU Noise Control, Staff Stress, and Staff Satisfaction: Environmental Research of an Academic Medical Center
2013
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 6
Pages 80-94
Author(s): Wang, Z., Downs, B., Farell, A., Cook, K., Hourihan, P., McCreery, S.
Added September 2014
Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a Transformed Nursing Home: The First Four Green House Settings
2013
Journal of Housing For the Elderly
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 23
Pages 304-334
Author(s): Cutler, L. J., Kane, R. A.
To study how well the physical environments of four Green Houses® served the residents, staff, and visitors and to develop recommendations for similar small-house nursing home projects. Longitudinal post-occupancy evaluation of four houses using mixed-methods, including behavioral mapping, checklist ratings of individual bedrooms and bathrooms, place-centered time scans, environmental tracers,...
Added September 2014
Occupancy and Patient Care Quality Benefits of Private Room Designs for Five Different Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Units – A Human Factors Evaluation
2013
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 57
Pages 703-707
Author(s): Smith, T.J.
Prior research over the last two decades has shown private rooms (PR) within NICU care environments positively impact parents and patient care staff in the areas of lighting quality, privacy, noise, job satisfaction, reduced stress for staff, and increased participation and accommodations for parents. However, minimal research has been conducted to understand the impact of PR on other pediatric departments within acute care environments.
Added May 2014
Review of the Literature: Acuity-Adaptable Patient Room
2013
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 36
Pages 251–271
Author(s): Bonuel, N. , Cesario, S.
Acuity-adaptable rooms allow patients to stay in one room from the time they are admitted to when they leave, regardless of their acuity level. These specially equipped private rooms are staffed by nurses who have the skills and training to support the complete range of care for patients with similar conditions or disease processes. The rooms are larger in size than a regular hospital room to accommodate various patients’ needs as their condition changes, such as critical care equipment, additional staff, procedures, and family members.
Added March 2014
Quiet Time in a Pediatric Medical/Surgical Setting
2013
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 28
Pages 400-405
Author(s): Cranmer, K., Davenport, L.
Despite being places for rest and healing, hospitals often are noisy places. These rising sound levels can be harmful and stressful for patients, caregivers, and staff, as well as contribute to an unsatisfactory environment in which to work and heal. In response, some intensive care units now have quiet time to reduce noise levels. However, little is known about the benefits of quiet time in a pediatric medical–surgical setting.
Added January 2014
Patients’ Interactions in an Intensive Care Unit and Their Memories of Intensive Care: A Mixed Method Study
2013
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Journal Article
Author(s): Meriläinen, M, Kyngäs, H, Ala-Kokko, T
The various equipment and devices in the intensive care unit (ICU) make it the most technologically sophisticated environment in any hospital. But, from a patient’s perspective, being connected to various devices; experiencing unsettling noises, smells, lighting, and uncomfortable temperatures; and enduring the perceptions of other patients as care objects can cause both physical and mental stress.
Added January 2014
Does music influence stress in mechanically ventilated patients?
2013
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 29
Pages 121-127
Author(s): Chlan, L.L., Engeland, W.C., Savik, K.
Many critically ill patients find that mechanical ventilator is stressful. Often, healthcare providers manage that stress with sedatives. However, as with most medications, the drugs may have side effects. For this and other reasons, many healthcare professionals prefer to try nonpharmacologic interventions first before administering sedative agents.
Added December 2013
