Designing healing environments: A literature review on the benefits of healing gardens for children in healthcare facilities and the urgent need for policy implementation
2023
Land
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 12
Pages 971
Author(s): Din, S. K.-J., Russo, A., Liversedge, J.
Numerous studies have shown the benefits of nature in healthcare environments. Healing gardens have been of particular interest in healthcare design, but research on these settings tends to focus on outcomes for older adults. Healing gardens may support positive outcomes for children as well, including physical, mental, and emotional health.
Added May 2023
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
Analysis of functional layout in emergency departments (ED). Shedding light on the free standing emergency department (FSED) model
2022
Applied Sciences
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 12
Pages 5099
Author(s): Brambilla, A., Mangili, S., Das, M., Lal, S., Capolongo, S.
Research shows that emergency departments (EDs) are facing overcrowding, increasing patient acuity, and short staffing, which all are impacting wait times to be seen and patient satisfaction scores.
Added December 2022
The impact of the healthcare environment on patient experience in the emergency department: A systematic review to understand the implications for patient-centered design
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 310-329
Author(s): Rowe, A, Knox, M.
Research shows that emergency departments (EDs) continue to be undersized, understaffed, and challenged with operational issues that cause decreased patient and provider satisfaction. The ED is at times the initial point of contact for a patient with the healthcare system and may be their first hospital experience
Added December 2022
Designing a cardiac intensive care unit by employing an evidence-based design approach
2022
The International Journal of Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 17
Pages 61-81
Author(s): Alansari, A., Quan, X.
Research shows that the design of the physical environment of cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) plays a significant role in patient outcomes, patient safety, and quality of care. Evidence-based design decisions further influence healthcare personnel well-being, such as reducing workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims.
Added December 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
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
Intensive care unit built environments: A comprehensive literature review (2005–2020)
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 14
Pages 368-415
Author(s): Verderber, S., Gray, S., Suresh-Kumar, S., Kercz, D., Parshuram, C.
ICUs have been extensively studied regarding the role of the built environment in issues of patient safety and infection control, patient-staff outcomes, and the interventional role of the physical environment. The results of this comprehensive literature review (2005-2020) demonstrate an increase in design of single-bed ICUs, increase in the engagement of families in the ICU experience, acknowledgement of improving caregiver well-being, performance through designing staff amenities, increased attention to the therapeutic role of exposure to nature and lighting, and increased pandemic concerns related to containment of the COVID-19 virus.
Added May 2021
Technology integration in complex healthcare environments: A systematic literature review
2021
Applied Ergonomics
Journal Article
Author(s): Bayramzadeh, S., Aghaei, P.
Previous research shows that the way in which information displays and imaging technology are integrated into healthcare environments can impact staff workflows, patient safety, and perceptions of care. Caregivers working in trauma rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and operating rooms (ORs) require frequent access to imaging technology; when these resources are located far away from patients, issues may arise with communication, coordination, and interruptions.
Added May 2021
Environmental noise in hospitals: A systematic review
2021
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Journal Article
Issue 16
Volume 28
Pages 19629-19642
Author(s): de Lima Andrade, E., da Cunha e Silva, D. C., de Lima, E. A., de Oliveira, R. A., Zannin, P. H. T., Martins, A. C. G.
Noise in healthcare environments can aggravate patient health issues and impair the performance of healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that hospital sound levels should not exceed 35 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night.
Added March 2021
Daylight and health: A review of the evidence and consequences for the built environment
2015
Lighting Research & Technology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 47
Pages 6-27
Author(s): Aries, M. B. C, Aarts, M. P. J., van Hoof, J.
This paper is an overview of studies on the effects of daylight exposure on human health.
Added December 2019
The experience of person-centred practice in a 100% single-room environment in acute care settings – a narrative literature review
2018
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 13-14
Volume 28
Pages 2369-2385
Author(s): Kelly, R., Brown, D., McCance, T., Boomer, C.
The increasing number of single-patient rooms in healthcare facilities around the world indicates a heightened focus on person-centered practice (PcP). This practice considers how the workflows and physical designs within healthcare environments influence the overall experiences of patients and staff alike.
Added December 2018
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
Accessing green spaces within a healthcare setting: A mixed studies review of barriers and facilitators
2019
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 12
Pages 199-140
Author(s): Weerasuriya, R., Henderson-Wilson, C., Townsend, M.
Many previous studies have described the benefits of natural environments (or “green spaces”) on overall human well-being. Healthcare providers have increasingly drawn attention to how green spaces within healthcare environments may positively affect both patients and staff.
Added December 2018
Safety, Performance, and Satisfaction Outcomes in the Operating Room: A Literature Review
2018
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 11
Pages 137-150
Author(s): Joseph, A., Bayramzadeh, S., Zamani, Z., Rostenberg, B.
There are many operating rooms (ORs) constructed more than 30 years ago that remain operational today, and many of these spaces are inadequately designed to withstand the processes, equipment, and people needed for contemporary OR procedures. Even in developed countries, patients undergoing inpatient surgeries experience major complications 3-22% of the time.
Added February 2018
The Role of Environmental Design in Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship: A Systematic Literature Review
2018
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 11
Pages 18–32
Author(s): Gharaveis, A., Kazem-Zadeh, M.
Approximately 1.6 million new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. New techniques for treating cancer are constantly being developed, with many healthcare professionals and designers turning towards more patient-centered services and designs to achieve better patient outcomes.
Added February 2018
Developing an evidence base of best practices for integrating computerized systems into the exam room: A systematic review.
2017
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Journal Article
Issue e1
Volume 24
Pages e207-e215
Author(s): Patel, M. R., Vichich, J., Lang, I., Lin, J., Zheng, Kai
The use of electronic health records (EHR) is increasing at medical facilities across the US. Computerized systems provide a better infrastructure for healthcare delivery.
Added December 2017
A Systematic Review of Mixed Methods Research on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care
2015
Applied ergonomics
Journal Article
Author(s): Carayon, P., Kianfar, S., Li, Y., Xie, A., Alyousef, B., Wooldridge, A.
This paper presents a systematic review of studies dealing with human factors and ergonomics (HFE) issues in both healthcare technology and in the work of healthcare employees. The researchers employ a mixed methods approach, meaning their review incorporates studies that use both quantitative and/or qualitative data during different stages of the research process.
Added June 2017
Qualitative ergonomics/human factors research in health care: Current state and future directions
2017
Applied Ergonomics
Journal Article
Author(s): Valdez, R. S., McGuire, K. M., Rivera, A. J.
This paper presents a systematic review of studies involving the application of ergonomics/human factors (E/HF) within healthcare environments. In ergonomics, the term “systems thinking” can be broadly interpreted as a way of organizing, managing, and improving different components of a given entity in order to achieve peak efficiency and usability.
Added June 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
