Droplet aerosols transportation and deposition for three respiratory behaviors in a typical negative pressure isolation ward
2022
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Wang, Y., Liu, Z., Liu, H., Wu, M., He, J., Cao, G.
Added June 2022
Lean design of the pediatric intensive care unit patient room for efficient and safe care delivery
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 369-390
Author(s): Lu, Y., Bishop, N. B., Zadeh, R. S.
Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are often operated by specially trained registered nurses (RNs). Due to the high stress and sensitivity of these environments, optimizing RN workflows and safety protocols is important.
Added August 2022
Evaluation of nosocomial infection control measures to minimize the risk of aspergillus dispersion during major demolition work: A case study of a Japanese university hospital
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 58-74
Author(s): Nakanishi, Y., Kasahara, K., Koizumi, A., Tokutani, J., Yoshihara, S., Mikasa, K., Imamura, T.
Aspergillus species (spp), can be dispersed during activities such as construction, renovation, and demolition. The infection control risk assessment (ICRA) tool was developed in part to counteract the spread of infection in these situations.
Added May 2021
SARS-CoV-2 viability on 16 common indoor surface finish materials
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 14
Pages 49-64
Author(s): Ronca, S. E., Sturdivant, R. X., Barr, K. L., Harris, D.
During the coronavirus pandemic, studies identified the contaminated environmental surface materials as potential pathways for viral transmission of the disease through contact. To understand the role of surfaces, 16 materials were contaminated with the virus and the stability of the virus on each material was examined.
Added March 2021
Use of an automated hand hygiene compliance system by emergency room nurses and technicians is associated with decreased employee absenteeism
2020
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 48
Pages 575-577
Author(s): Strauch, J., Braun, T. M., Short, H.
The relationship between hand hygiene intervention and absenteeism has been studied in other contexts besides healthcare. Researchers examined how improving hand hygiene practices among emergency room (ER) nurses and technicians affected their absenteeism and overtime hours worked by substitute staff.
Added December 2019
The influence of spatial configuration on the frequency of use of hand sanitizing stations in health care environments
2017
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Author(s): Neo, J. R. J., Zadeh, R.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect over 1.7 million people each year, and subsequently cost the U.S. economy approximately $8.2 billion each year. Hand hygiene compliance (HHC), which involves washing hands thoroughly with alcohol-based rubs or soap and water, is widely regarded as a major prevention measure against the transmission of pathogens that cause HAIs.
Added December 2018
Impact of a Comprehensive Workplace Hand Hygiene Program on Employer Health Care Insurance Claims and Costs, Absenteeism, and Employee Perceptions and Practices:
2016
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 58
Pages e231-e240
Author(s): Arbogast, J. W., Moore-Schiltz, L., Jarvis, W. R., Harpster-Hagen, A., Hughes, J., Parker, A.
Added June 2016
Surface Finish Materials: Considerations for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2016
Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 16
Pages 203-207
Author(s): Harris, D.
In this literature review, it is shown that a growing body of research has been focusing on how surface material finishes within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can contribute to the operational, clinical, and social aspects of health outcomes.
Added September 2016
Secondary exposure risks to patients in an airborne isolation room: Implications for anteroom design
2016
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Mousavi, E. S., Grosskopf, K. R.
Previous research has shown that negatively pressurized Airborne Infectious Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) can protect hospitals from fatal airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis. But this use of negative pressurization can simultaneously increase the chances of isolated patients contracting secondary infections, or healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by air blowing in from adjacent spaces. Research is needed to better assess the actual likelihood of secondary infections occurring in these scenarios so that steps can be taken to mitigate these risks.
Added December 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
Effects of surface material, ventilation, and human behavior on indirect contact transmission risk of respiratory infection
2014
Risk Analysis
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 34
Pages 818-830
Author(s): Sze‐To, G. N., Yang, Y., Kwan, J. K. C., Yu, S. C. T., Chao, C. Y. H.
Added April 2020
Accuracy of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) badge system to monitor hand hygiene behavior during routine clinical activities
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 144-147
Author(s): Pineles, L. L., Morgan, D. J., Limper, H. M., Weber, S. G., Thom, K. A., Perencevich, E. N., Harris, A. D., Landon, E.
Added November 2014
Experimental analysis of the transport of airborne contaminants between adjacent rooms at different pressure due to the door opening
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Fontana, L., Quintino, A.
Creating pressurization and depressurization spaces in hospitals is practiced to control airborne contamination. The authors indicate that the literature suggests that turbulence created by the opening and closing of doors between spaces of different pressure allows for the difference in pressure to be overcome and consequently for the transfer of contaminated air into the clean area.
Added May 2015
Comparison between mixed and laminar airflow systems in operating rooms and the influence of human factors: Experiences from a Swedish orthopedic center
2014
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 42
Pages 665-669
Author(s): Erichsen Andersson, A., Petzold, M., Bergh, I., Karlsson, J., Eriksson, B. I., Nilsson, K.
Added May 2016
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
Assessing the optimal location for alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in a patient room in an intensive care unit
2013
BMC Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 13
Pages 510
Author(s): Boog, M. C., Erasmus, V., de Graaf, J. M., van Beeck, E. A. H. E., Melles, M, van Beeck, E. F.
The authors allude to literature which says that compliance of hand hygiene (which is crucial to reducing the spread of infectious disease) is low among healthcare workers (HCWs). Literature also shows that alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) improve hand-hygiene compliance by HCWs, which in turn is impacted by location, access to, and visibility of the ABHR dispenser.
Added November 2014
Physical Environment Provisions of USP “Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations”
2012
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Beebe, C.
USP <797> reports standards and policies for all physical environments in which compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) are prepared, packaged, and stored. The standards apply specifically to people who prepare CSPs and must take care to reduce the risk of contamination from their behaviors, hygiene, and clothing (i.e., garb). Clinical workers whose work lies within this realm must be individually trained and evaluated to maintain the standards and reduce microbial contamination that results from contact.
Added September 2014
Traffic Flow in the Operating Room: An Explorative and Descriptive Study on Air Quality During Orthopedic Trauma Implant Surgery
2012
Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 40
Pages 750-755
Author(s): Andersson, A.E., Bergh, I., Karlsson, J., Eriksson, B.I. MD, Nilsson,K.
Three main strategies exist to prevent surgical site infections following surgery: 1) the patient, 2) the surgical technique, 3) the surgical environment. This study focuses on optimizing the effect of the surgical environment in preventing SSIs (surgical site infections). The authors attempt to understand that the protective potential of operating room (OR) ventilation under different conditions is crucial to optimizing the surgical environment.
Added April 2014
Infection Prevention Promotion Program Based on the PRECEDE Model: Improving Hand Hygiene Behaviors Among Healthcare Personnel
2012
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 33
Pages 144-151
Author(s): Aboumatar, H., Ristaino, P., Davis, R. O., Thompson, C. B., Maragakis, L., Cosgrove, S., Rosenstein, B., Perl, T. M.
Hand hygiene is critical to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and the development of healthcare-associated infections, yet compliance with recommendations is poor.
Added August 2014
The Efficacy of Visual Cues to Improve Hand Hygiene Compliance
2010
Simulation in Healthcare
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 5
Pages 325-331
Author(s): Nevo, Igal, Fitzpatrick, Maureen, Thomas, Ruth-Everett, Gluck, Paul A., Lenchus, Joshua D., Arheart, Kristopher L., Birnbach, David J.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) affect patients at hospitals and other facilities. Hand hygiene compliance (HHC) among healthcare workers is important and was called upon by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009 for improvement and sustainability.
Added June 2016
