Low stimulus environments: reducing noise levels in continuing care
2016
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 5
Pages 1-4
Author(s): Brown, J., Fawzi, W., Shah, A., Joyce, M., Holt, G., McCarthy, C., Stevenson, C., Marange, R., Shakes, J., Solomon-Ayeh, K.
This article highlights a project that aimed to reduce levels of intrinsic background noise on an adult mental health ward. Following intervention, the ward was able to decrease the background noise decibel level from 60dB to 53dB (on average).
Added November 2016
Understanding Green Building Design and Healthcare Outcomes: Evidence-Based Design Analysis of an Oncology Unit
2016
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Campion, N., Thiel, C. L., Focareta, J., Bilec, M. M.
The United States healthcare industry is a major part of the economy as well as a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental issues. Green building design (GBD) attempts to offset environmental impacts of buildings, and recently designers have been combining GBD with evidence-based design (EBD) in order to create facilities that positively impact both the external and internal environment.
Added June 2016
Patient Safety in the Cardiac Operating Room: Human Factors and Teamwork A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
2013
Circulation
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 128
Pages 1139-1169
Author(s): Wahr, J. A., Prager, R. L., Abernathy, J. H., Martinez, E. A., Salas, E., Seifert, P. C., Groom, R. C., Spiess, B. D., Searles, B. E., Sundt, T. M., Sanchez, J. A., Shappell, S. A., Culig, M. H., Lazzara, E. H., Fitzgerald, D. C., Thourani, V. H., Eghtesady, P., Ikonomidis, J. S., England, M. R., Sellke, F. W., Nussmeier, N. A.
The cardiac surgical operating room is a complex environment, where patient lives are saved or considerably improved with the help of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Although outcomes are improving, adverse events still occur, many of which are preventable. This statement is the result of a review of literature that presented evidence on patient safety and interventions that worked in enhancing patient safety in the cardiac OR.
Added March 2015
Quality of life and building design in residential and nursing homes for older people
2004
Ageing and Society
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 24
Pages 941-962
Author(s): Parker, C., Barnes, S., McKee, K., Morgan, K., Torrington, J., Tregenza, P.
Older people living in residential and nursing care homes spend a large proportion of their time within the boundaries of the home, and may depend on the environment to compensate for their physical or cognitive frailties. Regulations and guidelines on the design of care buildings have accumulated over time with little knowledge of their impact on the quality of life of building users. The Design...
Added September 2014
A randomized controlled trial to prevent patient lift and transfer injuries of health care workers
2001
Spine
Journal Article
Issue 16
Volume 26
Pages 1739-1746
Author(s): Yassi, A., Cooper, J. E., Tate, R. B., Gerlach, S., Muir, M., Trottier, J., Massey, K., Abushousheh, A.
Back injury to nursing staff during patient-handling tasks is a major issue in healthcare. The value of mechanical assistive devices in reducing injuries to these workers is unclear.
Added July 2014
Use of Mechanical Patient Lifts Decreased Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Injuries Among Health Care Workers
2004
Injury Prevention
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 10
Pages 212-216
Author(s): Li, J., Wolf, L., Evanoff, B.
Healthcare workers experience high rates of work-related musculoskeletal injuries, which are often the result of the frequent patient lifting and transferring required of healthcare workers. Studies suggest that mechanical patient lifts can help reduce musculoskeletal injury rates.
Added July 2014
Ceiling lifts reduce patient-handling injuries
2006
Healthcare Design
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 10-13
Author(s): Joseph, A., Fritz, L.
Nurses and nurse aides who have direct interaction with patients, performing manual lifting and transferring activities, are at a particularly high risk of injury and back pain. There are significant reductions in the incidence of injury when staff uses mechanical lift equipment vs. manual lifting techniques. In comparison with floor mechanical lift equipment, ceiling-mounted lifts are superior due to their ease of use, storage, and patient safety.
Added July 2014
Life Safety Code Comparison
2013
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Crowley, M. A., Harper, J. E.
Added May 2014
Effectiveness of overhead lifting devices in reducing the risk of injury to care staff in extended care facilities
2005
Ergonomics
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 48
Pages 187-199
Author(s): Engst, C., Chhokar, R. , Miller, A., Tate, R. B., Yassi, A.
Healthcare facilities often install mechanical lifts to help staff avoid injuries from patient handling. However, some mechanical lifts require more time and space and are not always as comfortable, safe, and secure as manual patient handling. Few studies have used a prospective controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of ceiling lifts in reducing risk of musculoskeletal injury to care staff; increasing staff satisfaction; and assessing preferred methods of lifting, transferring, and repositioning residents.
Added April 2014
Environmental evaluation for workplace violence in healthcare and social services
2008
Journal of Safety Research
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 39
Pages 237-50
Author(s): McPhaul, K.M. , Murrett, K., Flannery, K. , Rosen, J., Lipscomb, J., London, M.
The purpose of this project was to contribute specific, evidence–based guidance to the healthcare and social services employer communities regarding the use of environmental design to prevent violence.
Added April 2014
Using a Task Analysis to Describe Nursing Work in Acute Care Patient Environments
2009
Journal of Nursing Administration
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 39
Pages 537-547
Author(s): Battisto, D., Pak, R., Vander Wood, M. A., Pilcher, J. J.
A growing body of research demonstrates linkages between workplace design and processes in healthcare facilities with staff and patient safety, operational efficiency, staff satisfaction, and medical errors. There has been less emphasis on the role of the built environment in helping or hindering care delivery. Research is needed on the contextualized activities performed by nurses and how nurses spend their time to measure the effects of interventions aimed at redesigning care to improve safety or efficiency or to understand the implications of policy changes for nursing practice.
Added April 2014
Achieving EBD Goals Through Flooring Selection & Design
Author(s): Nanda, Upali, Malone, Eileen, Joseph, Anjali
Added April 2013
Designing for Patient Safety: Developing Methods to Integrate Patient Safety Concerns in the Design Process
Author(s): Joseph, A., Taylor, E. M. , Quan, X., Jelen, M.
Added October 2012
Role of the Physical and Social Environment in Promoting Health, Safety, and Effectiveness in the Healthcare Workplace
2006
The Center for Health Design
Report
Author(s): Joseph, A.
Added October 2012
Healing Is Who We Are … and Who Are We?
2004
Nursing Administration Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 28
Pages 241-8
Author(s): Taylor, M., Keighron, K.
Added October 2012
Occupational stress, job satisfaction, and working environment among Icelandic nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey
2006
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 43
Pages 875-889
Author(s): Sveinsdottir, H., Biering, P.l., Ramel, A.
Added October 2012
Nurse Work Environments and Occupational Safety in Intensive Care Units
2006
Policy Politics & Nursing Practice
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 7
Pages 240-7
Author(s): Stone, P.W., Gershon, R.R.
Added October 2012
Factors Influencing Satisfaction and Anticipated Turnover for Nurses in an Academic Medical Center
2001 rejected 2008 copyright
Journal of Nursing Administration
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 31
Pages 210-216
Author(s): Shader, K., Broome, M.E., Broome, C.D., West, M.E., Nash, M.
Added October 2012
Designing with health in mind. Innovative design elements can make hospitals safer, more healing places
2004
Modern Healthcare
Journal Article
Issue 42
Volume 34
Pages 28-28
Author(s): Sadler, B.L.
Added October 2012
Technology to promote safe mobility in the elderly
2004
Nursing Clinics of North America
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 39
Pages 649-71
Author(s): Nelson, A., Powell-Cope, G., Gavin-Dreschnack, D., Quigley, P., Bulat, T., Baptiste, A.S., Applegarth, S., Friedman, Y.
Added October 2012