Specialty space: Breast care centers
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 14
Pages 358-373
Author(s): Guevara, D.
Breast care centers seek to provide interdisciplinary and comprehensive breast care, but the interior designs of these facilities vary widely. Evidence-based design (EBD) seeks to improve healthcare environments by implementing designs correlated with positive health outcomes, while universal design (UD) involves planning for all patient abilities.
Added March 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
Influence of nature at the time of the pandemic: An experience-based survey at the time of SARS-CoV-2 to demonstrate how even a short break in nature can reduce stress for healthcare staff
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 14
Pages 49-65
Author(s): Gola, M., Botta, M., D’Aniello, A. L., Capolongo, S.
Time spent interacting with nature can improve well-being, promote healing, and decrease stress. This has shown up across cultures, ranging from ‘forest bathing’ in Japan, where patients are encouraged to spend time in nature to promote healing, to installing ‘healing gardens’ in healthcare environments to benefit healthcare staff.
Added March 2021
An experiment of double dynamic lighting in an office responding to sky and daylight: Perceived effects on comfort, atmosphere and work engagement
2022
Indoor and Built Environment
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 31
Pages 355-374
Author(s): Hansen, E. K., Bjørner, T., Xylakis, E., Pajuste, M.
Previous research has found that indoor lighting can directly impact staff satisfaction and engagement within the workplace. New technologies allow for “double dynamic” lighting installations that can integrate with natural daylight; however, most studies have examined the effects of other dynamic installations through the use of preset lighting settings.
Added March 2021
Acoustic environment of comprehensive activity spaces in nursing homes: A case study in Harbin, China
2021
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Author(s): Mu, J., Kang, J., Wu, Y.
Research demonstrates that older adults are disproportionately vulnerable to contextual stimulus than their younger counterparts. Little research has evaluated, however, the harmful side effects that unsupportive acoustic environments, comprised of indoor- and outdoor-generated sounds, have on the most vulnerable elderly living in residential care settings.
Added March 2021
Thinking outside of the box: Medical provider perspectives on adaptive reuse of closed mall sites for mixed-use Dementia programs and services
2021
Journal of Aging and Environment
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 35
Pages 385-405
Author(s): Roberts, E., Kleszynski, K., Shehadeh, A., Carter, H. C.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light many problems in how we design for aging and memory care. Dementia Friendly Initiatives are becoming more widespread as a way to better address the needs of these vulnerable populations, and often include considerations around the built environment.
Added January 2021
Patient perceptions of landscape and abstract art in inpatient cardiac units: A cross-sectional survey
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 14
Pages 66-83
Author(s): Finkel, J., Printz, B., Gallagher, L. M., Au, A., Shibuya, K., Bethoux, F.
Previous studies have investigated preferred type of visual art (abstract or landscape) for people in healthcare environments as well as the implications of art choices; this research builds on that earlier work. Cardiothoracic surgery units are particularly interesting places to collect data related to art in corridors.
Added January 2021
Observational study of anaesthesia workflow to evaluate physical workspace design and layout
2021
British Journal of Anaesthesia
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 126
Pages 633-641
Author(s): Jurewicz, K. A., Neyens, D. M., Catchpole, K., Joseph, A., Reeves, S. T., Abernathy, J. H.
Most published research concerning operating theatre (OT) design addresses issues related to the overall OT rather than specific workspaces within the OT. Anaesthesia workspaces, which are defined as the areas where anaesthesia providers perform their work, are often cluttered due to small sizes and other limitations.
Added November 2020
The energy saving potential of wide windows in hospital patient rooms, optimizing the type of glazing and lighting control strategy under different climatic conditions
2020
Energies
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 13
Pages 2116
Author(s): Cesari, S., Valdiserri, P., Coccagna, M., Mazzacane, S.
The heating and cooling of patient rooms creates extremely high energy demands, especially since these rooms typically are located around building perimeters to provide natural daylight, and therefore are most affected by the condition of the building’s envelope.
Added October 2020
Facilities for palliative care: Patterns and contrasts
Author(s): Martens, R. M. G., Lechner, S. C. M., Bruintjes, S. A. M., Roodbol, P. F., Mobach, M. P.
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients and families who face problems associated with life-threatening illnesses. Previous studies have found that facility designs which allow for patient and family privacy, overnight stays, a sense of homeliness, and space for spiritual practices can positively influence the delivery and perception of palliative care.
Added October 2020
A user-centered approach to evaluating wayfinding systems in healthcare
2021
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 14
Pages 19-30
Author(s): Bubric, K., Harvey, G., Pitamber, T.
Wayfinding systems play an important role in the efficacy of hospitals; when implemented effectively, they can help reduce visitor and staff anxiety while ensuring that care is administered and received in a timelier manner.
Added September 2020
Physical environments that support the mental health of staff and families in the NICU
2020
Journal of Perinatology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 40
Pages 16-21
Author(s): Shepley, M. M., Sachs, N. A.
NICU staff members and patient families are potentially psychologically challenged and/or experiencing high levels of stress. Built environment design interventions that support well-being in mental and behavioral health (MBH) settings may also be applicable to NICU environments.
Added September 2020
Exploring the spatial arrangement of patient rooms for minimum nurse travel in hospital nursing units in Korea
2020
Frontiers of Architectural Research
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 9
Pages 711-725
Author(s): Lee, J., Lee, H., Shepley, M. M.
Studies have shown that when nurses have to walk long distances, time at the patient bedside is reduced and nursing fatigue and stress increase. The arrangement of patient rooms within a nursing unit can impact nurse well-being and optimize patient care.
Added September 2020
Designing for efficiency: Examining the impact of centralized and decentralized nurse stations on interdisciplinary care processes
2020
JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 50
Pages 335–342
Author(s): Fay, L., Santiago, J. E., Real, K., Isaacs, K.
Between 1980 and 2008, adult inpatient units increased in size by 118%. Size increases on this scale may negatively impact operational efficiency, waste reduction efforts, and workplace safety.
Added June 2020
Family members´ experiences of the end-of-life care environments in acute care settings – a photo-elicitation study
2018
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
Journal Article
Author(s): Hajradinovic, Y., Tishelman, C., Lindqvist, O., Goliath, I>
Research demonstrates that environmental features in varied healthcare settings can impact patient and staff outcomes. Room occupancy, acoustic environment, visual contact with nature, sound and lighting, ergonomics, and the work environment design are among the features with documented impacts on staff and patient health.
Added April 2020
Safe and supportive neurorehabilitation environments: Results of a structured observation of physical features across two rehabilitation facilities
2020
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 13
Pages 115-127
Author(s): Colley, J., Zeeman, H.
Neurorehabilitation inpatient facilities need to carefully manage occupational safety and risk management while also encouraging positive patient experiences. More information is needed on how inpatient neurorehabilitation facilities can most effectively support people recovering from spinal cord or acquired brain injuries, i.e., how they can be both safe and supportive for patients.
Added April 2020
Air Care: an ‘aerography’ of breath, buildings and bugs in the cystic fibrosis clinic
2020
Sociology of Health and Illness
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 42
Pages 972-986
Author(s): Brown, N., Buse, C., Lewis, A., Martin, D., Nettleton, S.
Research in medical humanities works on hospital architecture demonstrates the historical significance of spatial design for airflow and air exchange from the pre-antibiotic period until the present. The spatial and atmospheric design of hospitals is conceived while paying attention to the prevention of the spread of airborne infections, e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF).
Added April 2020
Characterizing the acoustic environment in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
2020
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 165
Pages 107301
Author(s): Hernández-Molina, R., Beira Jiménez, J. L., Rodriguez-Montaño, V., Zacarías, F. F., Bienvenido-Huertas, D., Lubián López, S., Cueto-Ancela, J. L.
Previous research shows that the acoustic environment of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) plays a significant role in the development of neonates; however, there is a lack of research exploring the different types and impacts of specific noise sources. The results of this study affirm that equipment alarms profoundly influence NICU noise levels, while staff conversations, telephone use, and equipment movement also contribute.
Added March 2020
Healing spaces: Exploring therapeutic concept for breast cancer clinic
Author(s): Sarjani, M., Saragih, J. F. B., Soebiyan, V.
Research demonstrates that due to the prevalence of depressive symptoms among cancer patients, healthcare facilities (here, breast cancer clinics) can benefit from the application of healing environmental features to reduce patient stress and anxiety.
Added March 2020
Application of different circadian lighting metrics in a health residence
2020
Journal of Daylighting
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 7
Pages 13-24
Author(s): Busatto, N., Mora, T. D., Peron, F., Romagnoni, P.
Previous studies have established that indoor illuminance must reach certain levels for proper visual performance, and should also work to enhance spatial perception, security, and well-being. Insufficient indoor lighting can adversely influence patient health outcomes, particularly patient circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythms of elderly patient populations may be especially sensitive to illuminance levels.
Added March 2020
