The Impact of Windows and Daylight on Acute-Care Nurses' Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Health
2014
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 7
Pages 35-61
Author(s): Zadeh, R. S., Shepley, M. M., Williams, G., Chung, S. S..
Added December 2014
The relationship between birth unit design and safe, satisfying birth: Developing a hypothetical model
2010
Midwifery
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 26
Pages 520-525
Author(s): Foureur, M., Davis, D., Fenwick, J., Leap, N., Iedema, R., Forbes, I., Homer, C. S. E.
The authors assert that just as the designed environment can impact health outcomes by disrupting effective communication and increasing patient and staff stress, it can also impact the experiences and outcomes for birthing women.
Added December 2014
Hospital design and face-to-face interaction among clinicians: a theoretical model
2009
Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 2
Pages 62-84
Author(s): Rashid, M.
Current research focusing on collaboration between medical professionals has shown the importance of face-to-face interactions on patient and staff outcomes. However, most strategies for increasing these interactions among clinicians have focused on operational changes that are intended to facilitate a cultural change within the organization. This research looks to examine how the physical design of a healthcare facility can create opportunities for face-to-face interactions between clinicians through spatial programs and structure.
Added November 2014
Conveniently located “napping rooms” provide opportunity for night- and extended-shift providers to rest, leading to less fatigue and better performance.
2008, last updated October 23, 2013
US Department of Health and Human Services; AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) website
Journal Article
Author(s):
Healthcare providers are known for working unacceptably long hours and being chronically sleep deprived. Often, physicians and nurses work 24+ hour shifts, leading to fatigue and avoidable errors that put both caregivers and patients at risk of serious injury or death. Acute and chronic sleep deprivation can mimic the effects of drunkenness.
Added November 2014
Effectiveness of installing overhead ceiling lifts: Reducing musculoskeletal injuries in an extended care hospital unit.
2002
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 50
Pages 120-127
Author(s): Ronald, L. A., Yassi, A., Spiegel, J., Tate, R. B., Tait, D., Mozel, M. R.
High rate of musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) among healthcare workers is well documented. Lifetime prevalence rates of back pain greater than 70 percent have been reported and higher incidence rates of MSI have been observed in healthcare workers compared to the general population and two other occupation groups. Mechanical lifting equipment has been recommended as an effective tool for decreasing the rate and severity of MSI in healthcare workers.
Added November 2014
An analysis of falls in the hospital: Can we do without bedrails?
1999
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 47
Pages 529-531
Author(s): Hanger, H. C., Ball, M. C., Wood, L. A.
Falls and injuries from falls are common in older patients in institutions, evoking a common response of using restraints, such as bedrails or cot sides, to further prevent harm. However, there is no compelling evidence that restraints reduce the risk of falls and/or injuries.
Added November 2014
Factors influencing evaluation of patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas by healthcare professionals
2013
Indoor and Built Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Sadatsafavi, H., Walewski, J., Shepley, M. M.
One important element of high-quality healthcare delivery is a motivated and satisfied staff. Healthcare executives should regularly examine the factors that influence clinicians’ perceptions of satisfaction and quality so that necessary changes can be addressed.
Added November 2014
A better physical environment in the workplace means higher well-being? A study with healthcare professionals
2013
Psyecology: Revista Bilingüe de Psicología Ambiental / Bilingual Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 4
Pages 89-110
Author(s): Campos-Andrade, C., Hernández-Fernaud, E., Lima, M.-L.
Referring to literature that points to the physical and psychological demands of healthcare work, the authors note that a negative physical environment can add to stress, burnout, and the possibility of error in addition to having repercussions for the health and well-being of the workers. Noise levels, unit configuration, and patient room type (single or multi-bed) are some of the environmental factors that have been studied and found to affect the experience and well-being of nurses.
Added November 2014
Hospital bathroom ergonomics: Safety, usability and accessibility issues
2014
Clinical Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Author(s): Capodaglio, E. M.
The design of a hospital bathroom is important in terms of its usability and accessibility and crucial for patient and staff safety. A bathroom’s design and layout becomes more important in a rehabilitation unit, where patient mobility is restricted for various reasons.
Added November 2014
Reduction of healthcare-associated infections in a long-term care brain injury ward by replacing regular linens with biocidal copper oxide impregnated linens
2014
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Author(s): Lazary, A., Weinberg, I., Vatine, J.-J., Jefidoff, A., Bardenstein, R., Borkow, G., Ohana, N.
Due to its antibacterial, antiviral, and fungicidal properties, copper has been widely used for centuries as a biocide. Microorganisms resistant to copper are extremely rare. Recently, methods have been developed for embedding copper oxide particles into textile products, thereby giving them antimicrobial and anti-mite properties, and in some cases, advanced wound-healing abilities. Consumer products featuring copper oxide such as sheets, diapers, and pillowcases have been proven completely safe to humans through numerous studies, with no adverse health reactions on record.
Added November 2014
The environment of safe care: considering building design as one facet of safety
2014
Proceedings of the International Symposium of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 3
Pages 123-127
Author(s): Taylor, E., Hignett, S., Joseph, A.
Added September 2014
The Effect of Hospital Unit Layout on Nurse Walking Behavior
2012
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 6
Pages 66-82
Author(s): Yi, L., Seo, H.-B.
Over the course of a typical shift, nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, walking back and forth on the unit to take care of patients' needs. The long distances that nurses walk is a topic of concern in the industry. Some believe it may potentially impact the amount of time spent with patients and also because of the physical toll on nurses, day after day. Researchers are attempting to understand whether unit layout and design might be revised to reduce walking distances and create efficiencies that enhance patient care.
Added September 2014
The Role of Flooring as a Design Element Affecting Patient and Healthcare Worker Safety
2013
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 6
Pages 95-119
Author(s): Harris, D. D., Detke, L. A.
Added September 2014
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
Long-Term Efficacy of an Ergonomics Program That Includes Patient-Handling Devices on Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries to Nursing Personnel
2012
Human Factors
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 54
Pages 608-625
Author(s): Garg, A., Kapellusch, J. M.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to the authors, reports that nursing staff face musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs) in all types of healthcare facilities. Nurse aides (NAs) in particular have the highest rate of staying away from work because of these injuries.
Added September 2014
Loading along the lumbar spine as influence by speed, control, load magnitude, and handle height during pushing
2009
Clinical Biomechanics
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 24
Pages 155-63
Author(s): Marras, W. S., Knapik, G. G., Ferguson, S.
Added September 2014
Job satisfaction among nurses - A predictor of burnout levels
2002
Journal of Nursing Administration
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 32
Pages 648-654
Author(s): Kalliath, T., Morris, R.
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
A decade of adult intensive care unit design: a study of the physical design features of the best-practice examples
2006
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 29
Pages 282-311
Author(s): Rashid, M., Abushousheh, A.
This article reports a study of the physical design characteristics of a set of adult intensive care units (ICUs), built between 1993 and 2003. These ICUs were recognized as the best-practice examples by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the American Institute of Architects.
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
