Environmental Correlates of Safety and Efficiency in Emergency Departments
Author(s): Pati, D., Harvey, T. E., Vincent, D., Evans, J., Pati, S., Bazuin, D., Derr, M. A.
Whether from professional or governmental institutions or from the popular press, stories abound of the challenges EDs (emergency departments) face (Berger, 2006). Every day, EDs have to treat an ever-rising number of patients coming through their doors, many of whom have highly complex conditions.
Added April 2018
Improving patient safety in inpatient units--A Canadian Context
2012
Healthcare Design Magazine
Magazine Article
Issue 6
Volume 12
Pages 12–15,17
Author(s): Cochrane, P., Nishimura, J., Spencer, G., Taylor, E.
Added April 2013
Medical Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tank Storage
2012
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Monograph
Author(s): McLaughlin, S., Dagenais, D.
There are particular requirements for storing medical gas cylinders as well as requirements for bulk tank storage in healthcare settings; these regulatory requirements exist specifically for cylinders that are not in use. In use refers to cylinders being used by a patient, or attached to equipment and ready for immediate use, or located in patient rooms about to be used. Requirements vary depending on the total amount of cubic feet of gas needing to be stored, with the most stringent regulations for more than 3,000 cubic feet of gas, less stringent requirements for 300-3,000 cubic feet of gas, and the least stringent requirements for less than 300 cubic feet of gas. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of accident and injury.
Added March 2014
Empowering staff nurses to use research to change practice for safe patient handling
2012
Nursing Outlook
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 60
Pages 157-162
Author(s): Krill, C., Staffileno, B.A. , Raven, C.
Nursing is one of the top 10 occupations for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, often stemming from patient handling, which is unpredictable and performed in awkward positions and unfavorable conditions. The authors of this paper created a safe patient handling or ergonomic program that combines patient-handling equipment and devices, education, patient care ergonomic assessment protocols, no-lift policies, and patient-lift teams.
Added January 2014
Long-term care physical environments- effect on medication errors
2012
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 25
Pages 431-441
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.
Added July 2014
Emergency Department Security Programs, Community Crime, and Employee Assaults
2012
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 42
Pages 329-38
Author(s): Blando, J.D. , McGreevy, K., O’Hagan, E. , Worthington, K. , Valiante, D., Nocera, M. , Casteel, C. , Peek-Asa, C.
Violence against healthcare workers is a serious occupational health hazard, particularly for Emergency Department (ED) employees. Injuries from non-fatal assaults are estimated to be four to 12 times higher among healthcare workers when compared to the overall rate for all private sector employees in the United States. Nationally, only voluntary guidelines exist from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the protection of healthcare workers. The ED has been identified as one of the highest risk areas for violence within the hospital.
Added April 2014
Implementing a Pediatric Obesity Care Guideline in a Freestanding Children’s Hospital to Improve Child Safety and Hospital Preparedness
2012
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 27
Pages 707–714
Author(s): Porter, R. M., Thrasher, J, Krebs, N. F.
Over the past three decades, the number of children who are overweight has grown, with the greatest increase among those categorized as severely obese. Providing healthcare for these children is complicated, yet there is little information about the patient, provider, and institutional needs for the severely obese pediatric patient.
Added February 2014
Suicide Attempts and Completions in the Emergency Department in Veterans Affairs Hospitals
2012
Emergency Medicine Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 29
Pages 399-403
Author(s): Mills, P. D., Watts, B. V., DeRosier, J. M., Tomolo, A. M., Bagian, J. P.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and approximately 1,500 suicides occur in inpatient hospital units in the United States each year, This study examines the specific environmental factors involved in suicide attempts and completions in an ED in a large, nationally represented hospital sample (VA).
Added May 2014
A review of design recommendations for outdoor areas at healthcare facilities
2012
Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 22
Pages 33-47
Author(s): Shukor, S. F. A, Stigsdotter, U. K., Nilsson, K.
The authors allude to the growing body of scientific literature that indicates the positive contribution of natural environments to human health. The stress caused by staying in a healthcare facility can be allayed by supportive outdoor natural environments.
Added March 2015
Design for Patient Safety - Considering a Patient Safety Risk Assessment
2012
Advances in Human Aspects of Healthcare
Book Section
Author(s): Taylor, E., Joseph, A., Quan, X., Duffy, V.
Added October 2014
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
Healing environment: A review of the impact of physical environmental factors on users
2012
Building and Environment
Journal Article
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.
Added March 2015
Designing for distractions: a human factors approach to decreasing interruptions at a centralised medication station
2012
BMJ Quality & Safety
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 21
Pages 939-947
Author(s): Colligan, L., Guerlain, S., Steck, S. E., Hoke, T. R.
According to the authors, literature indicates that interruptions during the administration of medication in healthcare settings can lead to errors, and that such errors are likely to cause more harm in pediatric settings. The medication station in the study hospital is centrally located with an open design targeted to reduce nurse walking and increase time with patients.
Added December 2014
Impact of hospital space standardization on patient health and safety
2012
Architectural Engineering and Design Management
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 9
Pages 49-61
Author(s): Price, A. D. F., Lu, J.
Added November 2014
Creating a culture of safety: reducing hospital noise
2012
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 46
Pages 350-5
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
2012
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 13
Pages e1-7
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.
Added September 2014
Contributions of Environment, Comorbidity, and Stage of Dementia to the Onset of Walking and Eating Disability in Long-Term Care Residents
2012
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 60
Pages 1624-1631
Author(s): Slaughter, S. E., Hayduk, L. A.
Objectives To estimate the relative effects of environment, comorbidities, stage of dementia and other variables on disability onset. Design A 1-year prospective cohort study was conducted in which the walking and eating abilities of long-term care residents were observed fortnightly. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the contributions of individual and environmental factors to the...
Added September 2014
Long-Term Efficacy of an Ergonomics Program That Includes Patient-Handling Devices on Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries to Nursing Personnel
2012
Human Factors
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 54
Pages 608-625
Author(s): Garg, A., Kapellusch, J. M.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to the authors, reports that nursing staff face musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs) in all types of healthcare facilities. Nurse aides (NAs) in particular have the highest rate of staying away from work because of these injuries.
Added September 2014
Patients and Their Families Weigh in on Evidence-Based Hospital Design
2012
Critical Care Nurse
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 32
Pages e1-e10
Author(s): Trochelman, K., Albert, N., Spence, J., Murray, T., Slifcak, E.
Literature indicates that design of a healthcare facility impacts quality of care, patient safety, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and outcomes. Evidence-based design (EBD) is increasingly becoming a guiding principle in the design of new healthcare facilities. As research on EBD evolves and more hospitals and architects use EBD recommendations, it becomes imperative to consider the perspectives of patients and families.
Added May 2015
Environmental determinants of quality of life in nursing home residents with severe dementia
2012
Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 60
Pages 1230-1236
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).
Added September 2014
