Environment of care: Is it time to reassess microbial contamination of the operating room air as a risk factor for surgical site infection in total joint arthroplasty?
2017
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 45
Pages 1267-1272
Author(s): Parvizi, J., Barnes, S., Shohat, N., Edmiston, C. E.
Operating rooms (ORs) typically are equipped with several layers of defense against the spread of airborne contaminants (also known as airborne microbial populations) that can lead to surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing surgical procedures that involve device implantation.
Added June 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
Understanding Wayfinding Experience of Hospital Visitor through Tours and Maps Analysis
Author(s): Mustikawati, T., Yatmo, Y. A., Atmodiwirjo, P.
Hospitals are complex environments full of many visitors, staff members, and patients. This kind of environment can make simple navigation difficult for visitors in particular.
Added December 2018
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
Analysis of circadian stimulus allowed by daylighting in hospital rooms
2017
Lighting Research and Technology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 49
Pages 49-61
Author(s): Acosta, I, Leslie, R. P., Figueiro, M. G.
Light is the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Compared to the visual system, the circadian system requires more light to be activated and is more sensitive to short-wavelength light. For those confined indoors, such as patients or residents in care facilities, the lack of access to daylight, or electric lighting providing a comparable amount, spectrum, distribution, duration, and timing, may compromise their human health and well-being.
Added November 2016
Mental and behavioral health settings: Importance & effectiveness of environmental qualities & features as perceived by staff
2017
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue June
Volume 50
Pages 37-50
Author(s): Shepley, M. M., Watson, A., Pitts, F., Garrity, A., Spelman, E., Fronsman, A., Kelkar, J.
While many previous studies have examined how facility designs can benefit patients within non-psychiatric acute care settings, there is a lack of research exploring how physical environments can be better suited to promote the health of patients in mental and behavioral health (MBH) facilities.
Added February 2017
Compliant flooring to prevent fall-related injuries in older adults: A scoping review of biomechanical efficacy, clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and workplace safety
2017
PLOS ONE
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 12
Pages 1-23
Author(s): Lachance, C. C., Jurkowski, M. P., Dymarz, A. C., Robinovitch, S. N., Feldman, F., Laing, A. C., Mackey, D. C., Tranah, G.
Compliant flooring may be broadly defined as any floor covering or flooring system with some degree of shock absorbency. Numerous previous studies have shown that different forms of compliant flooring can reduce the severity and incidence of fall-related injuries in older adult patients.
Added February 2017
Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a Mental Healthcare Facility Based on Staff Perceptions of Design Innovations
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 10
Pages 121-135
Author(s): Kalantari, S., Snell, R.
Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a research method for gathering information on the effectiveness of new architectural designs in healthcare environments. POE can help healthcare providers and designers gauge whether or not a given design is achieving its intended purpose. Since evidence-based designs are becoming more widely implemented in a variety of healthcare environments, POE could prove useful in many different departmental contexts. The authors note that the application of POE in research focusing on mental healthcare facilities is rare, signaling a need for exploration
Added February 2017
Balancing the Human Touch with the Need for Integrating Technology in Ambulatory Surgical Environments: Barriers and Facilitators to Nursing Work and Care Team Interactions
2017
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 42
Pages 39-65
Author(s): Joseph, A., Wingler, D., Zamani, Z.
There is a lack of information to support the design of the rapidly growing number of ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). These centers have become more popular as trends in reimbursement, technology, and services have evolved. Research is needed to inform how the built environment of ambulatory surgical environments impacts the critical interactions between people, supplies, and equipment.
Added February 2017
Examining Relationships between Physical Environments and Behaviors of Residents with Dementia in a Retrofit Special Care Unit
2017
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 49-69
Author(s): Mobley, C., Leigh, K., Malinin, L.
Individuals with late-stage dementia often receive treatment in Specialized Care Units (SCUs) when other nursing home facilities can no longer support their socio-behavioral and physical needs. Generally, SCUs aim to maximize patient quality of life (QoL) by mitigating potential environmental stressors and improving the functional status of the patients themselves.
Added February 2017
Patient Needs and Environments for Cancer Infusion Treatment
2017
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 13-25
Author(s): Wang, Z., Pukszta, M.
Roughly 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, and more than 50% of cancer patients receive chemotherapy for treatment. Chemotherapy is delivered through infusion, which uses an intravenous (IV) administration and support system to deliver treatment.
Added February 2017
Child Life Specialists' Evaluation of Hospital Playroom Design: A Mixed Method Inquiry
2017
Journal of Interior Design
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 42
Pages 71-91
Author(s): Weinberger, N., Butler, A. G., Schumacher, P. A., Brown, R. L., McGee, B.
Many children are hospitalized with chronic illnesses each year, experiences that may result in traumatic repercussions with lasting negative health effects as children grow older. Child life experts are individuals who help children and their families cope with the stresses and uncertainties of hospitalization.
Added February 2017
A systematic review of the psychometric properties of instruments for assessing the quality of the physical environment in healthcare
2017
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 73
Pages 2796-2816
Author(s): Elf, M., Nordin, S., Wijk, H., McKee, K. J.
This review of published instruments was conducted to identify valid and usable tools that can evaluate the design of the healthcare environment.
Added February 2017
Meeting Patient Expectations During Hospitalization: A Grounded Theoretical Analysis of Patient-Centered Room Elements
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 95-110
Author(s): Patterson, E. S., Sanders, E. B.-N., Sommerich, C. M., Lavender, S. A., Li, J., Evans, K. D.
A 2016 study found that tens of millions of patients within the U.S. were hospitalized for an average of 4.8 days, while a separate study found that roughly 65.7 million people (or roughly 29% of the adult population) within the U.S. are considered caregivers for children or other adults. Other previous studies indicate that rooms that are specially designed to support patients and caregivers can reduce patient and caregiver stress and ultimately improve the overall healing processes.
Added March 2017
Patient room lighting influences on sleep, appraisal and mood in hospitalized people
2017
Journal of Sleep Research
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 26
Pages 236-246
Author(s): Giménez, M. C., Geerdinck, L. M., Versteylen, M., Leffers, P., Meekes, G. J. B. M., Herremans, H., de Ruyter, B., Bikker, J. W., Kuijpers, P. M. J. C., Schlangen, L. J. M.
Hospitalized patients often struggle with sleeping soundly due to various factors that arise within the hospital environment, such as noise, pain, general discomfort, and irregular and inappropriate light exposure. Because sleep is such an integral part of the healing process, healthcare designers should consider different ways to improve hospital sleep conditions.
Added April 2017
Identification of Tools and Techniques to Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration During Design and Construction Projects
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 28-38
Author(s): Keys, Y., Silverman, S. R., Evans, J.
The design and construction of healthcare environments requires a collaboration of professionals from a variety of backgrounds to produce the best possible results. However, it is not uncommon when these collaborations generate frustrations and miscommunications among the different professionals involved.
Added May 2017
Evidence-Based Design Features Improve Sleep Quality Among Psychiatric Inpatients
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 52-63
Author(s): Pyrke, R. J. L., McKinnon, M. C., McNeely, H. E., Ahern, C., Langstaff, K. L., Bieling, P. J.
There are many factors present within psychiatric care facilities that can contribute to disrupted patient sleep patterns. Since poor sleep is widely associated with adverse health outcomes, it is important for designers to understand how the physical environments within mental health facilities can contribute to patient sleep patterns.
Added May 2017
Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults Living: An Exploratory Study
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 64-79
Author(s): Nioi, A., Roe, J., Gow, A., McNair, D., Aspinall, P.
Exposure to appropriate levels of bright light directly affects human circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm plays a key role in overall human well-being. Previous research suggests that elderly patients within residential care homes are often exposed to low levels of light, which can result in circadian misalignment and irregularities in sleep/wake cycles.
Added May 2017
Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Centralized and Decentralized Nursing Station Models on the Efficiency of Care
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 80-84
Author(s): Fay, L., Carll-White, A., Schadler, A., Isaacs, K., Real, K.
As healthcare facilities continue to implement evidence-based designs and increase in overall size, there is a lack of research examining how these changes affect the efficiency of patient care processes. Along with the physical growth of modern healthcare environments, advances in medical technology have increased the amount of multitasking required of nurses and other healthcare workers.
Added May 2017
Factors Affecting Acoustics and Speech Intelligibility in the Operating Room: Size Matters
2017
Anesthesia & Analgesia
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 124
Pages 1978-1985
Author(s): McNeer, R. R., Bennett, C. L., Horn, D. B., Dudaryk, R.
Previous studies have shown that noise levels within healthcare environments have been increasing steadily since 1960. Noise is a prominent source of discomfort for both patients and staff, and can also interfere with important interpersonal communications.
Added June 2017
