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
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
Research methods used in evidence-based design: An analysis of five years of research articles from the HERD Journal
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 16
Pages 56-82
Author(s): Battisto, D., Li, X., Dong, J., Hall, L., Blouin, J.
Few studies report on the current state of research in health environment studies. Understanding common research methods can help inform future studies and identify best practices.
Added November 2022
The role of healthcare facility design on the mental health of healthcare professionals: A literature review
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 16
Pages 270-286
Author(s): Jin, H.-Y., Gold, C., Cho, J., Marzban, F., Lim, L.
Research demonstrates that burnout is prevalent in healthcare workers and has been associated with negative consequences for patients, staff, and organizations. To date, initiatives to mitigate burnout and support staff well-being do not fully utilize the built environment.
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
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
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
Emergency psychiatric assessment, treatment, and healing (EmPATH) unit decreases hospital admission for patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural America
2022
Academic Emergency Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 29
Pages 142-149
Author(s): Kim, A. K., Vakkalanka, J. P., Van Heukelom, P., Tate, J., Lee, S.
The number of patients in Emergency Departments (EDs) with mental health issues and suicide ideation has been on the rise, and studies outline the impact on outcomes such as delays in care and ED overcrowding and boarding. Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) units support increased access to mental healthcare with reduced burdens on EDs.
Added February 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
Designing palliative care facilities to better support patient and family care: A staff perspective
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 15
Pages 149–162
Author(s): McLaughlan, R., Richards, K., Lipson-Smith, R., Collins, A., Philip, J.
There are several factors that make palliative care unique, including longer lengths of stay, the number of visitors, and considerations around end-of-life care. Staff perceive that privacy, a homelike environment, and safety are important for their ability to provide comfort and support to both patients and families.
Added February 2022
A study of workspace design characteristics exemplified by nurses’ satisfaction within three intensive care units in a university hospital
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 15
Pages 49-62
Author(s): Obeidat, B., Younis, M. B., Al-Shlool, E., Alzouby, A.
Nursing job satisfaction can be influenced by the healthcare system, organizational factors, job requirements, and individual characteristics. This study focuses on nursing satisfaction within three different ICU layouts in a Jordanian healthcare facility.
Added November 2021
The continuous learning cycle: A multi-phase post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of decentralized nursing unit design
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 15
Pages 134-148
Author(s): Cai, H., Spreckelmeyer, K.
Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is viewed as a valuable component of the healthcare design process and can be used in the evidence-based research process to make design decisions. Research is limited that documents findings of POEs to make informed decisions for future projects.
Added November 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
Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the emergency department by implementing a separate pathway for patients with respiratory conditions
2021
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 19
Pages 383-388
Author(s): Alqahtani, F., Alanazi, M., Alassaf, W., Aleanizy, F. S., Aljahany, M., Joseph, M., AlRaye, M.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare facilities have provided services to patients with suspected or confirmed cases of this and other highly contagious respiratory illnesses. In some areas, emergency departments (EDs) have become important resources for patient populations without other ways to access medical care.
Added June 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
Fit for what purpose? Exploring bicultural frameworks for the architectural design of acute mental health facilities
2021
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 18
Pages 2343
Author(s): Jenkin, G. L. S., McIntosh, J., Every-Palmer, S.
There is a great need for mental health services around the world. Recent approaches to mental and behavioral health focus on “personal recovery,” one of which is called CHIME.
Added March 2021
Application of different circadian lighting metrics in a health residence
2020
Journal of Daylighting
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 7
Pages 13-24
Author(s): Busatto, N., Mora, T. D., Peron, F., Romagnoni, P.
Previous studies have established that indoor illuminance must reach certain levels for proper visual performance, and should also work to enhance spatial perception, security, and well-being. Insufficient indoor lighting can adversely influence patient health outcomes, particularly patient circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythms of elderly patient populations may be especially sensitive to illuminance levels.
Added March 2020
Healthcare signage design: A review on recommendations for effective signing systems
2019
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 12
Pages 45-65
Author(s): Rodrigues, R., Coelho, R., Tavares, J. M. R. S.
Studies have shown that designing “patient-centric” healthcare environments can alleviate stress for both patient populations as well as healthcare staff members. Patient-centric designs carefully consider how patients will interact with the built environment, and how the built environment itself can work to make their healing process easier.
Added December 2018
How architectural design affords experiences of freedom in residential care for older people
2017
Journal of Aging Studies
Journal Article
Author(s): Van Steenwinkel, I., Dierckx de Casterlé, B., Heylighen, A.
As the global population of elderly humans increases, healthcare providers working in long-term care facilities have focused more on how certain social and physical design elements can help promote higher quality care.
Added October 2018
