A Novel ICU Hand-Over Tool: The Glass Door of the Patient Room
2017
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 32
Pages 514-519
Author(s): Wessman, B. T., Sona, C., Schallom, M.
The Institute of Medicine has identified poor communication among the patient care team as one of the most common causes of serious errors in patient care. There was a desire in this organization to create a culture of team-oriented continuity of care by changing the mindset of handoff reporting to handover reporting communication among multidisciplinary care team members on key aspects of the patient’s daily plan of care. They developed a communication tool that included key areas of care (tests, care goals and progress toward those goals, treatments, and consultation recommendations) and printed the topic areas on the glass door of the patient room. The information was updated regularly throughout the day/night so that the most current information on patient status was available any time for rounding by various care providers, specialists, and consultants. The information was also available for viewing by the patient’s family.
Added November 2017
Environment in pediatric wards: Light, sound, and temperature
2015
Sleep Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 16
Pages 1041-1048
Author(s): Oliveira, L., Gomes, C., Bacelar Nicolau, L., Ferreira, L., Ferreira, R.
Sleep is crucial to the well-being of humans, especially so for the recovery of those undergoing treatment or recuperating in hospitals. The authors cite studies that allude to the relevance quality of sleep has on health, neurodevelopment, generally, and to immune functioning and healing in patients.
Added November 2017
Bright Light Delights: Effects of Daily Light Exposure on Emotions, Restactivity Cycles, Sleep and Melatonin Secretion in Severely Demented Patients
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1063-1075
Author(s): Münch, M., Schmieder, M., Bieler, K., Goldbach, R., Fuhrmann, T., Zumstein, N., Vonmoos, P., Scartezzini, J.-L., Wirz-Justice, A., Cajochen, C.
Exposure to sufficient light on a daily basis is important for individuals to maintain their health. Studies have shown that light has an effect on heart rate, body temperature, human behavior, mood, body hormones, genes, and cognitive ability.
Added November 2017
The Influence of the Physical Environment on Residents With Dementia in Long-Term Care Settings: A Review of the Empirical Literature
2017
The Gerontologist
Journal Article
Author(s): Chaudhury, H., Cooke, H. A., Cowie, H., Razaghi, L.
Several studies have shown that properly designed interior spaces have a positive effect on residents with dementia in long-term care facilities. Wayfinding and orientation can be enhanced through good planning of the facility as well as activities of daily living and autonomy.
Added November 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
Night-time activity forecast by season and weather in a longitudinal design - natural light effects on three years' rest-activity cycles in nursing home residents with dementia
2017
International Psychogeriatrics
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 29
Pages 2071-2080
Author(s): Wahnschaffe, A., Nowozin, C., Rath, A., Floessner, T., Appelhoff, S., Münch, M., Kunz, D.
Elderly nursing home residents with dementia suffer from night-time agitation due to the lack of adequate exposure to natural light. Short winter days and overcast skies have a strong effect on circadian rhythm and motor activities.
Added November 2017
Implementation of Dynamic Lighting in a Nursing Home: Impact on Agitation but not on Rest-Activity Patterns
2017
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 14
Pages 1076-1083
Author(s): Wahnschaffe, A., Nowozin, C., Haedel, S., Rath, A., Appelhof, S., Münch, M., Kunz, D.
A common issue within different subtypes of dementia is nighttime agitation, which often manifests as confusion, aggressive behavior, aimless movement, and general disruption of sleep cycles. Nighttime agitation is the most common cause for nursing home admission, and many medical treatments for the condition only target specific symptoms, sometimes resulting in unwanted side effects for patients.
Added November 2017
The effects of the indoor environment of residential care homes on dementia suffers in Hong Kong: A critical incident technique approach
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 73
Pages 32-39
Author(s): Wong, J. K.-W., Skitmore, M., Buys, L., Wang, K.
The authors introduce their paper pointing to the increase, globally, in the number of individuals affected with dementia, and a growing need to improve the quality of life of such individuals. The behavioral and psychological challenges associated with this syndrome often necessitates the referral of the patient to be placed in residential care homes. Literature indicates that the physical environments of facilities designed for dementia patients impact their well-being and quality of life. However, there are few studies addressing all such indoor environmental (IE) factors potentially affecting the behavior of the residents of these facilities. This paper reports findings from research conducted in six residential care homes (RCH) in Hong Kong studying the impact of IE factors on the behavior of dementia residents. The study found lighting, acoustic, and thermal environments to be the main IE factors that impact the behavior of dementia patients.
Added October 2017
Influence of soundscape and interior design on anxiety and perceived tranquillity of patients in a healthcare setting
2016
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 104
Pages 135-141
Author(s): Watts, G., Khan, A., Pheasant, R.
The authors open their paper with a brief introduction on tranquil spaces and their relevance in a healthcare setting – improved hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, and more. According to the authors, tranquil spaces are spaces having a pleasant and calming effect – typically natural environments – specifically defined by low manmade sounds. The authors allude to the necessity of creating...
Added September 2017
Thermal comfort improvement of naturally ventilated patient wards in Singapore
2017
Energy and Buildings
Journal Article
Author(s): Lan, L., Tushar, W., Otto, K., Yuen, C., Wood, K. L.
Added September 2017
Room for improvement: A randomised controlled trial with nested qualitative interviews on space, place and treatment delivery
2017
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 53
Pages 359-367
Author(s): Sandal, L. F., Thorlund, J. B., Moore, A. J., Ulrich, R. S., Dieppe, P. A., Roos, E. M.
The physical environment of a hospital can impact its clinical outcomes and is connected to a patient’s sense of well-being. Literature also indicates that construction and renovation of healthcare facilities in the US are relying increasingly on evidence-based design to achieve better clinical outcomes and reduce costs.
Added September 2017
Sound as a supportive design intervention for improving health care experience in the clinical ecosystem: A qualitative study
2017
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Journal Article
Author(s): Iyendo, T. O.
As professionals work to make healthcare environments increasingly conducive to the physical and psychological well-being of patients and staff, one variable that garners significant attention by researchers and designers is the overall sound of a given space.
Added September 2017
Adaptive reuse in the healthcare industry: repurposing abandoned buildings to serve medical missions
2017
BMC Health Services Research
Journal Article
Author(s): Elrod, J. K., Fortenberry, J. L.
Healthcare services are mainly delivered on site, necessitating an adequate space for practitioners. The initial cost of a new hospital is quite significant and could be reduced by reusing existing buildings (e.g., office buildings, warehouses, and multi-family residential).
Added August 2017
Evaluation of hospital outdoor spaces through users’ participation analysis
2017
Facta Universitatis, Series: Architecture and Civil Engineering
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 15
Pages 73-84
Author(s): Djukanovic, Z., Maric, J., Giofrè, F.
Hospital outdoor spaces (HOS) have an important role in healthcare facilities that specifically impacts the healing process. Literature reviewed by the authors refers to HOS as left-over spaces for supporting other medical activities.
Added August 2017
Towards Healing Environment for the Inpatient Unit in Psychiatric Hospital
Author(s): Ramadan, M. G.
Previous research shows that physical designs within healthcare environments play a key role in promoting patient well-being. The design of a given healthcare facility directly affects the efficiency with which care is delivered, as well as affecting the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of its staff members.
Added June 2017
Developing family rooms in mental health inpatient units: An exploratory descriptive study
2015
BMC Health Services Research
Journal Article
Author(s): Isobel, S., Foster, K., Edwards, C.
Adult inpatients receiving treatment at mental health facilities often wish to visit with family members. Indeed, previous research indicates that caregivers, consumers, and medical professionals agree that children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) should be able to spend time with their parents for the mutual benefit of both patients and families.
Added June 2017
Consumer perspectives on the therapeutic value of a psychiatric environment
2015
Journal of Mental Health
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 24
Pages 63-67
Author(s): Donald, F., Duff, C., Lee, S., Kroschel, J., Kulkarni, J.
Many contemporary mental illness treatment models accept the notion that social inclusion and a sense of community can support patient recovery. “Permeable institutions” employ community integration as part of their recovery models.
Added June 2017
A Psychoevolutionary Approach to Identifying Preferred Nature Scenes With Potential to Provide Restoration From Stress
2017
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 10
Pages 111-124
Author(s): Thake, C. L., Bambling, M., Edirippulige, S., Marx, E.
Added June 2017
Healing gardens in children’s hospitals: Reflections on benefits, preferences and design from visitors’ books
2017
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Journal Article
Author(s): Reeve, A., Nieberler-Walker, K., Desha, C.
Numerous previous studies have shown that gardens can provide healing and therapeutic benefits to patients. But lack of funding and space often impede the development of gardens in healthcare environments, as well as a lack of studies that focus on patient well-being after discharge.
Added June 2017
Unweaving the human response in daylighting design
2015
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Andersen, Marilyne
The term “daylighting” can be broadly defined as the amount of natural light that is present within a given space due to its structural makeup. Structural designs that allow for certain levels of daylighting may have a positive impact on energy use, since lighting is one of the most energy-demanding building functions.
Added June 2017
