Knowledge Repository

Added December 2022

Investigation of Eligible Picture Categories for Use as Environmental Cues in Dementia-Sensitive Environments

2016

HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

Journal Article

Issue 4

Volume 10

Pages 64-73

Author(s): Motzek, T., Bueter, K., Marquardt, G.

Dementia often manifests in populations of elderly people who are admitted to acute care facilities. The disorienting nature of hospital environments can exacerbate the condition of dementia, leading to challenging behavior from patients that can affect staff, other patients, and the patients themselves. Previous studies have found that personalized labels and signs, such as photographic portraits of residents themselves, are effective environmental markers in long-term healthcare facilities.

Added December 2016

Environmental Variables That Influence Patient Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature

2016

HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 10

Pages 155-169

Author(s): MacAllister, L., Zimring, C., Ryherd, E.

This paper is a literature review that compiles a number of studies investigating the layouts and designs of hospitals and work settings, and the influences that these environments have on health and behavioral outcomes in patients. More specifically, this review seeks to identify possible links between physical and social environmental influences to self-reported patient outcomes. The authors wish to more fully understand the elements that influence patient satisfaction, and then begin a discussion over how physical and social environments can be further analyzed to enhance satisfaction.

Added September 2016

The ability of environmental healthcare design strategies to impact event related anxiety in pediatric patients: A comprehensive systematic review

2015

Journal Article

Pages 19

Author(s): Norton-Westwood, D.

Healthcare settings such as hospitals or dentists’ offices have been known to contribute to the anxiety often experienced by patients receiving treatment. Anxiety has been linked to various health concerns, manifesting both physiologically and psychologically, that can result in prolonged hospital stays and other complications.

Added June 2016

Effects of an Assisted Living Facility Specifically Designed for Individuals with Memory Disorders: A Pilot Study

2014

Journal of Housing For the Elderly

Journal Article

Issue 4

Volume 28

Pages 399-409

Author(s): Springate, B. A., Talwar, A. K., Tremont, G.

A 2007 study estimated that 14% of individuals over the age of 71 have dementia, and many of those individuals require some level of support with daily life. Furthermore, many of these individuals eventually move to assisted living (AL) facilities or nursing homes as they begin to require more assistance. Many people choose AL facilities due to pricing or the desire to be assisted rather than nursed. Previous studies have indicated that the physical environment of nursing homes can influence the overall well-being of residents with dementia. However, relatively few studies have assessed the effects of AL facility environments on the well-being of dementia patients.

Added June 2016

Impact of the Physical Environment of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities (RHCSF) on Staff and Residents A Systematic Review of the Literature

2015

Environment and Behavior

Journal Article

Issue 10

Volume 48

Pages 1203-1241

Author(s): Joseph, A., Choi, Y.-S., Quan, X.

Strategies related to the design of the built environment should be considered within the context of the culture of the organization and the resident population. This study of the physical environment of residential health, care, and support facilities addresses the range of settings and population, where other studies have been lacking. The literature review strongly suggests that the built environment is an important component of care provided in residential care settings.

Added May 2016

Presence of human noroviruses on bathroom surfaces: a review of the literature

2016

International Journal of Environmental Health Research

Journal Article

Issue 4

Volume 26

Pages 420-432

Author(s): Leone, C. M., Tang, C., Sharp, J., Jiang, X., Fraser, A.

Added May 2016

Review: The impact of art, design and environment in mental healthcare: A systematic review of the literature

2008

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health

Journal Article

Issue 2

Volume 128

Pages 85-94

Author(s): Daykin, N., Byrne, E., Soteriou, T., O'Connor, S.

There is increasing evidence that attractive environments can enhance the experiences of healthcare users. What creates attractive environments may be relative to the country where that healthcare is provided. This paper was written in the UK and was an attempt to find research that supports the use of art to create healing environments along with the role of art in encouraging civic pride. It was part of a two-year evaluation of a commissioned arts program in a UK mental health trust.

Added January 2016

Ergonomics Principles Associated with Laparoscopic Surgeon Injury/Illness

2012

Human Factors

Journal Article

Issue 6

Volume 54

Pages 1087-1092

Author(s): Miller, K., Benden, M.., Pickens, A., Shipp, A., & Zheng, Q.

Although laparoscopic procedures significantly benefit patients in terms of decreased recovery times and improved outcomes, they contribute to mental fatigue and musculoskeletal problems among surgeons. A variety of ergonomic interventions and applications are implemented by surgeons to reduce health problems.

Added January 2016

The Impact of an Acute Psychiatry Environment on Older Patients and Their Families

2014

Journal of Gerontological Nursing

Journal Article

Issue 2

Volume 20

Pages 1-7

Author(s): Hung, L., Loewen, E., Bindley, B., McLaren, D., Feist, T., & Phinney, A.

There is a lack of research that examines impact of the designed environment on the experience of older adults and their families in healthcare settings.

Added January 2016

Exploring Perceptions of Designers and Medical Staff in South Korea about Design Elements for the Elder-Friendly Hospital

2014

Journal of Interior Design

Journal Article

Issue 4

Volume 39

Pages 15-32

Author(s): Kim, D., Lee, J. H., Ha, M.

The elderly population is growing around the world and so is the geriatric patient population. The authors indicate that despite the fact that the elderly will soon be the primary users of healthcare services, healthcare facilities are not designed for the elderly. In this study, designers and medical staff were asked to rate the importance of 33 design elements in the context of an elder-friendly hospital.

Added August 2015

Inpatient fall prevention: Use of in-room Webcams

2013

Journal of Patient Safety

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 9

Pages 29-35

Author(s): Hardin, S. R., Dienemann, J., Rudisill, P., Mills, K. K.

The National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) maintains data on patient falls nationally. Reported fall rates have ranged from 2.2 to 7 per 1000 admissions; 10% to 25% of falls result in an injury, depending on patient population. Falls adversely impact hospital costs as well as patient costs and overall well-being. The California HealthCare Foundation reported that technological innovations in the field of fall prevention, such as wireless patient monitoring systems, resulted in faster nurse response times and increased satisfaction for both patients and staff.

Added December 2014

Effectiveness of installing overhead ceiling lifts: Reducing musculoskeletal injuries in an extended care hospital unit.

2002

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal

Journal Article

Issue 3

Volume 50

Pages 120-127

Author(s): Ronald, L. A., Yassi, A., Spiegel, J., Tate, R. B., Tait, D., Mozel, M. R.

High rate of musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) among healthcare workers is well documented. Lifetime prevalence rates of back pain greater than 70 percent have been reported and higher incidence rates of MSI have been observed in healthcare workers compared to the general population and two other occupation groups. Mechanical lifting equipment has been recommended as an effective tool for decreasing the rate and severity of MSI in healthcare workers.

Added November 2014

Young children's perspectives of ideal physical design features for hospital-built environments

2014

Journal of Child Health Care

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 18

Pages 57-71

Author(s): Lambert, V., Coad, J., Hicks, P., Glacken, M.

Current research has sought to understand pediatric hospital environments through studies designed to gain insight into the hospital experience from a child’s perspective. While this research has provided insight into a child’s emotional response to being in a hospital environment, little has been done to gain insight into the physical design from a child’s perspective.

Added November 2014

Promoting walking among older adults living in retirement communities

2012

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

Journal Article

Issue 3

Volume 20

Pages 379-394

Author(s): Rosenberg, D. E., Kerr, J., Sallis, J. F., Norman, G. J., Calfas, K., Patrick, K.

The authors tested the feasibility and acceptability, and explored the outcomes, of 2 walking interventions based on ecological models among older adults living in retirement communities. An enhanced intervention (El) was compared with a standard walking intervention (SI) among residents in 4 retirement facilities (N = 87 at baseline; mean age = 84.1 yr). All participants received a walking...

Added September 2014

Effect of visual art on patient anxiety and agitation in a mental health facility and implications for the business case

2011

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Journal Article

Issue 5

Volume 18

Pages 386-93

Author(s): Nanda, U., Eisen, S., Zadeh, R. S., Owen, D.

Previous research suggests that even small interior design changes can have positive effects on patients receiving treatment in a variety of healthcare environments. Many of these studies examine patient populations that were moved to completely renovated facilities that featured a multitude of new designs and installations, making it difficult to understand how each individual design change affects the patients.

Added September 2014

Why the elderly fall in residential care facilities,and suggested remedies

2004

Journal of Family Practice

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 53

Pages 41-52

Author(s): Kallin, K., Jensen, J., Olsson, L. L., Nyberg, L., Gustafson, Y.

Falls and their consequences—such as fractures and other injuries, fear of falling, impaired functions, and dependency—are serious health problems in the older population. Older people living in residential care facilities and those receiving long-term institutional care seem particularly prone to falling and fractures caused by falls. Almost half of all patients with hip fractures in Umea, Sweden, during the 1980s and the 1990s lived in residential care facilities, although fewer than 10 percent of the elderly population lived in such accommodations. Falls among people aged 60 and older have been estimated to account for one-third of the total cost of medical treatment for all injuries in the Swedish population.

Added August 2014

The effects of refurbishment on residents' quality of life and wellbeing in two Swedish residential care facilities

2009

Health & Place

Journal Article

Issue 3

Volume 15

Pages 717–724

Author(s): Falk, H., Wijk, H., Persson, L.-O

The prevalence of elderly people with cognitive impairment in Swedish residential care facilities has been estimated to be approximately 50%, usually resulting in integrated populations with both cognitively intact and impaired residents. The physical environment must respond to the changing characteristics of their residents and variations within individuals over time to be able to provide for more than a single stage of fragility.

Added May 2014

Reduction in Injury Rates in Nursing Personnel Through Introduction of Mechanical Lifts in the Workplace

2003

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Journal Article

Issue 5

Volume 44

Pages 451–457

Author(s): Evanoff, B., Wolf, L., Aton, E., Canos, J., Collins, J.

Many studies have reported a high rate of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers. Back pain has been identified as a major factor in causing nurses to leave the profession. Patient care requires many lifting and transfer tasks that pose a demonstrated risk of injury to workers. Mechanical assistive devices such as patient hoists offer an engineering solution to reducing potentially harmful physical exposure to nurses.

Added May 2014

Practice Environments of Nurses in Ambulatory Oncology Settings: A Thematic Analysis

2012

Cancer Nursing

Journal Article

Issue 1

Volume 35

Pages E1-E7

Author(s): Kamimura, A., Schneider, K., Lee, C. S., Crawford, S. D., Friese, C. R.

The working environments for nurses in inpatient settings have been studied extensively, but little is known about ambulatory locations. Yet, according to National Center for Health Statistics, 19 million of the 23 million annual visits for chemotherapy occur in ambulatory centers. Therefore, research in this area could contribute to better nursing outcomes and patient care.