Design of pediatric outpatient procedure environments: A pilot study to understand the perceptions of patients and their parents
2024
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Author(s): Goel, S., Mihandoust, S., Joseph, A., Markowitz, J., Gonzales, A., Browning, M.
Although pediatric outpatient procedures are becoming more commonplace, pre-procedure anxiety among children and their parents remains. Positive distractions and the presence of parents or caregivers have been shown to alleviate pediatric patient stress, but research specific to the outpatient setting is scarce.
Added January 2024
Optimizing floor plans of accessible restrooms in elderly long-term care facilities: A path planning approach
2023
Architectural Engineering and Design Management
Journal Article
Author(s): Yuan, H., Shen, X.
Research demonstrates that diminished core strength and mobility can make it difficult for the elderly using wheelchairs or walkers (EUWW) to navigate confined restroom spaces. Ensuring adequate room to maneuver within restrooms can support the independence and self-esteem of EUWW and reduce the physical workload of caregivers.
Added November 2023
How Visibility May Reduce Security Issues in Community Hospitals’ Emergency Departments
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Author(s): Gharaveis, A., Hamilton, D. K., Pati, D., Shepley, M. M., Rodiek, S., McCall, D.
Research shows that many environmental factors have been employed to improve emergency department (ED) safety. Visibility as a design factor, an operational factor, and a layout characteristic can be leveraged to improve both safety and care efficiency.
Added August 2023
Designing well-being: A qualitative investigation of young patients’ perspectives on the material hospital environment
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 16
Pages 168-181
Author(s): Payam, S., Hossaini, J., Zaschka, K., Friedmann, A., Mall, V.
Healthcare design research often includes user perspectives, but typically focuses on adult input. Young patients can provide useful insights into the remodel of pediatric facilities to better meet their unique needs. Environments tailored to a variety of developmental stages and physical abilities are more welcoming and engaging for young patients.
Added May 2023
The birth companions’ experience of the birthing room and how it influences the supportive role: A qualitative study
2023
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 16
Pages 156-167
Author(s): Nilvér, H., Berg, M.
Research shows that receiving support from non-health-professional companions during birth results in healthier outcomes, but there is a lack of information on what companions, who typically are not associated with the healthcare facility, need.
Added May 2023
Promoting mental health recovery by design: Physical, procedural, and relational security in the context of the mental health built environment
2023
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 32
Pages 147-161
Author(s): Wilson, R. L., Hutton, A., Foureur, M.
Research shows that effective inpatient mental health care should include environments that are safe, purposeful, and stabilizing. Environments that foster physical security, support therapeutic interactions between users and systems, and promote procedural security can benefit patients, family members, and staff.
Added April 2023
The healthcare workspace: Understanding the role of decentralized nursing stations, corridors, and huddle spaces as locations for teamwork in a neonatal intensive care unit
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 15
Pages 270-282
Author(s): Fay, L., Real, K., Haynes, S.
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) host fragile and vulnerable patients. Research studies on NICUs with a single-family room (SFR) layout demonstrate benefits to both neonates and their parents but the impact on staff remains unclear. The decentralization associated with SFRs may impair teamwork.
Added June 2022
The demand for specialization and its influence on the design of inpatient nursing units: Can standardized design be done once and for all?
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 15
Pages 154-170
Author(s): Xuan, X., Duan, X., Feng, Z.
Research shows that specialized units, such as psychiatry and intensive care, require built environments that are specific to their patient populations. Medical-surgical units within the same facility typically have similar physical layouts even though they often serve distinct patient populations.
Added April 2022
Impact of distance on stroke inpatients’ mobility in rehabilitation clinics: a shadowing study
2021
Building Research & Information
Journal Article
Issue 1-2
Volume 50
Pages 74-88
Author(s): Kevdzija, M., Marquardt, G.
Failure to rehabilitate after experiencing a stroke frequently results in a patient’s admission to long-term care. There is a need to understand how size and spatial configuration of rehabilitation settings can support wayfinding and help patients overcome mobility barriers.
Added December 2021
Investigating the Feasibility of Multisensory Environments to Improve the Assisted Bathing Experience for Veterans with Dementia: A Clinical Trial
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 15
Pages 180-195
Author(s): Lorusso, L., Bosch, S., Park, N.-K., Shorr, R., Conroy, M., Ahrentzen, S., Freytes, M.
While multisensory environments (MSE) are generally regarded as therapeutic for people with dementia, this study was undertaken to understand the behavioral effects of MSE stimulus during bathing for veterans with dementia. Following the evaluation of MSE use in a bathing room representative of most found in long-term care settings, the study authors concluded that the exhibition of increased positive behaviors and decreased negative behaviors supports a functional relationship between improved bathing responses and multisensory interventions.
Added November 2021
Hospital outdoor spaces: User experience and implications for design
2022
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 15
Pages 256–267
Author(s): Tseung, V., Verweel, L., Harvey, M., Pauley, T., Walker, J.
The impact of outdoor views and spaces on patient and staff outcomes has been studied, but using outdoor areas for therapy programming in post-acute and rehabilitation care requires further research.
Added October 2021
Experiences of sensory overload and communication barriers by autistic adults in health care settings
2022
Autism in Adulthood
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 4
Pages 66-75
Author(s): Strömberg, M., Liman, L., Bang, P., Igelström, K.
Autistic adults have an elevated risk for health problems that can be further exacerbated by stressful and inefficient healthcare experiences. The goal of this study was to identify problematic patterns of sensory and communication experiences for autistic adults. Intense, unpredictable, and uncontrollable environments present barriers to communication and contribute to overstimulation.
Added October 2021
Patients’ experiences of place and space after a relocation to evidence-based designed forensic psychiatric hospitals
2021
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 30
Pages 1210-1220
Author(s): Olausson, S., Wijk, H., Berglund, I. J., Pihlgren, A., Danielson, E.
Literature shows that using evidence to inform decision making when designing healthcare settings can result in improved care outcomes. This research focuses on the purpose-built evidence-based design (EBD) of three forensic psychiatric hospitals.
Added May 2021
Safety and Security Concerns of Nurses Working in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study
2018
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 41
Pages 68-75
Author(s): Keys, Y., Stichler, J. F.
Vulnerability, instability, and complexity define most patients requiring intensive care. The intensive care unit, or ICU, setting hence has two primary roles, according to the authors – to offer a dedicated space for such patients to be cared for by clinicians and to offer a supportive environment for effective and efficient caregiving.
Added December 2017
Blue-Enriched Lighting for Older People Living in Care Homes: Effect on Activity, Actigraphic Sleep, Mood and Alertness
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1053-1062
Author(s): Hopkins, S., Morgan, P. L., Schlangen, L. J. M., Williams, P., Skene, D. J., Middleton, B.
Residents of long-term care homes suffer from natural light deprivation and other age-related physical conditions. This includes changes in sleep patterns and a decrease in sleep efficiency. Lack of light exposure negatively affects circadian systems and consequently affects sleep.
Added November 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