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
Environmental transformations enhancing dignity in an acute psychiatric ward: Outcome of a user-driven service design project
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 55-72
Author(s): Faerden, A., Rosenqvist, C., Håkansson, M., Strøm-Gundersen, E., Stav, Å., Svartsund, J., Røssæg, T., Davik, N., Kvarstein, E., Pedersen, G., Dieset, I., Nyrud, A. Q., Weedon-Fekjær, H., Kistorp, K. M.
Research shows that the concept of dignity within psychiatric health seclusion is reflected mainly in patient care delivery rather than the environmental components of a healthcare setting. Still common are sparsely furnished rooms, white paint, and limited access to natural light or views of the outdoors.
Added December 2022
Operating room design using agent-based simulation to reduce room obstructions
2023
Health Care Management Science
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 26
Pages 261-278
Author(s): Taaffe, K., Ferrand, Y. B., Khoshkenar, A., Fredendall, L., San, D., Rosopa, P., Joseph, A.
Research shows that the operating room layout and design can play an integral role in how a procedure is carried out and how flow disruptions can be minimized to optimize outcomes. Despite past research aimed toward improving room layout and providing recommendations to minimize surgical site infections, there remains a lack of evidence demonstrating how these physical environment factors affect safety and efficiency performance.
Added December 2022
Using an accessible room multisensory stimulation environment to reduce dementia associated behaviors
2022
Journal of Long-Term Care
Journal Article
Author(s): Prince, D. M., Fogarty, K. J., VanGeest, J. B., Eberth, S. D.
A growing body of literature supports using multisensory stimulation environment (MSSE) rooms to improve Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). While enclosed MSSE applications have been tested, due to restrictions for enclosed-room access and caregiver shortages there is a need to evaluate outcomes associated with open-access MSSE areas.
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 effect of sound in the dental office: Practices and recommendations for quality assurance: A narrative review
2022
Dentistry Journal
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 10
Pages 228
Author(s): Antoniadou, M., Tziovara, P., Antoniadou, C.
Research shows that the dental office environment exposes individuals to a high degree of sound during care. Sound can be perceived negatively, called noise, or can be considered positive, such as music therapy. The dental office can be an environment of high anxiety for patients.
Added December 2022
An experimental research on the impact of spatial configurations of complex hospitals on human wayfinding performances
2022
IDA: International Design and Art Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 4
Pages 235-251
Author(s): Aksoy, E., Aydın, D., İskifoğlu, G.
Research shows that human wayfinding behavior in hospitals depends on the spatial configuration of an environment. As successful wayfinding also depends on cognitive abilities, the crowded and busy hospital setting, compounded with any emotional distress, causes challenges for people when navigating the facility.
Added December 2022
Efficacy of violet–blue light to inactive microbial growth
2022
Scientific Reports
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 12
Pages 20179
Author(s): Amodeo, D., Lucarelli, V., De Palma, I., Puccio, A., Nante, N., Cevenini, G., Messina, G.
Research demonstrates that certain lights have antimicrobial properties. Violet-blue light at 405 nm (VBL405) has a broad-spectrum effect on organisms that frequently cause hospital-acquired infections including Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and various Mycobacterium.
Added November 2022
Impact of the soundscape on the physical health and the perception of senior adults in senior care facilities
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 155-173
Author(s): Mu, J., Wu, Y., Wang, T.
Research shows that conditions of the indoor environment can affect human perception, satisfaction, and health. Senior adults tend to spend more time indoors such that the soundscape of the indoor environment (acoustics), may influence their health.
Added November 2022
Research methods used in evidence-based design: An analysis of five years of research articles from the HERD Journal
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 16
Pages 56-82
Author(s): Battisto, D., Li, X., Dong, J., Hall, L., Blouin, J.
Few studies report on the current state of research in health environment studies. Understanding common research methods can help inform future studies and identify best practices.
Added November 2022
Designing intergenerational spaces: What to learn from children
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 16
Pages 174-188
Author(s): Norouzi, N., Chen, J.-C., Jarrott, S., Satari, A.
Research on intergenerational care programs where both children and older adults receive services in the same facility often relies on proxy reports from caregivers. The authors of this study sought to elicit perceptions of intergenerational care from the children who experience these environments.
Added November 2022
Noise exposure and quality of life among nurses
2022
Workplace Health & Safety
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 70
Pages 207-219
Author(s): McCullagh, M. C., Xu, J., Dickson, V. V., Tan, A., Lusk, S. L.
Research shows that the effects of high-noise environments extend beyond hearing damage. Excessive noise levels can negatively impact cardiovascular health, mental health, sleep, and lead to tinnitus. Healthcare work environments are inherently noisy due to paging systems, telephones, monitor alarms, treatment equipment, and ice machines.
Added November 2022
Implementation of a navigation system: Economic verification in a local hospital.
2022
PLoS ONE
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 17
Pages e0276996
Author(s): Majerova, I., Michna, P., Lebiedzik, M., Nevima, J., Tureckova, K.
Wayfinding is a long-standing challenge in healthcare facilities. Multiple studies have evaluated the cost-benefit of traditional wayfinding systems with respect to cost (e.g., staff time spent direction giving) and benefits (e.g., improved patient experience).
Added November 2022
Strategies to evaluate the quality of hospital design with clinical data
2023
Journal of Hospital Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 18
Pages 538-543
Author(s): Mead, M., Ibrahim, A. M.
Healthcare design research engages multidisciplinary stakeholders who are often driven by competing agendas. The authors of this article discuss the challenges in evaluating hospital design, describe design features, which are often considered important to clinical care, and recommend strategies to enhance rigor into the evaluation process.
Added November 2022
Ventilation performance evaluation of a negative-pressurized isolation room for emergency departments
2022
Healthcare
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 10
Pages 193
Author(s): Wang, F., Permana, I., Chaerasari, C., Lee, K., Chang, T., Rakshit, D.
Since the emergence of COVID-19, healthcare facilities are expected to be well equipped and flexible in their efforts to both treat patients and protect staff. Emergency Department (ED) isolation rooms are considered a potentially effective way to protect both staff and infected patients; however, further research is needed to understand how best to design an isolation room for an ED.
Added August 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
Cross-cultural design and healthcare waiting rooms for indigenous people in regional Australia
2022
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 54
Pages 89-115
Author(s): O’Rourke, T., Nash, D., Haynes, M., Burgess, M., Memmott, P.
There is a lack of research exploring how modern medical waiting areas are perceived by Indigenous populations, and how these spaces might be improved to enhance the delivery of care.
Added August 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
Energy analysis and forecast of a major modern hospital
2022
Buildings
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 12
Pages 1116
Author(s): Liu, A., Ma, Y., Miller, W., Xia, B., Zedan, S., Bonney, B.
Globally, roughly 4.4% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions come from the health sector. In some countries, the public health sector may regularly be the leading energy user and emitter. There is diverging evidence to suggest whether regional climate patterns or building occupancy have a greater impact on energy use within healthcare facilities.
Added August 2022
The healthcare chapel: Improving well-being
2022
International Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Society
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 12
Pages 93-113
Author(s): Lawson, A. E., Alfaro, S. A.
Chapels serve as a place for patients, families, and staff that foster well-being. Because chapels are used by people from a variety of faith groups, it is important they are designed to accommodate the well-being of those whose needs may not be represented in the functional requirements of a single religious denomination or faith.
Added July 2022
