The effects of material selections on noise levels in two patient care units
2012
Healthcare Design Magazine
Magazine Article
Issue 5
Volume 12
Pages 24-28
Author(s): Frederick, C., Roy, K. P., Taylor, E., Keller, A., Jackson, M., Kinsey, R.
Added March 2013
Innovative design solutions: Second floor emergency department?
2010
Healthcare Design Magazine
Magazine Article
Issue 8
Volume 10
Pages 14-21
Author(s): Krug, S., Bertani, K., Barton, S. A.
Added March 2013
The sickening rug: A repeating static pattern that leads to motion-sickness like symptoms
2011
Perception
Journal Article
Author(s): Bonato, F., Bubka, A., Graveline, V.
Flooring is a prominent component of hospital design, with surprisingly little research on the subject. An issue that has not been researched is the impact of patterns on health and perception related issues. This paper undertakes a simulated exercise on the impact of viewing specific patterns on motion-sickness like symptons. Although there is some research on the impact of visual patterns on epilepsy patients, the effect on people without neurological disorders has not been explored.
Added November 2012
Single Room Maternity Care: The Nursing Response.
2001
Birth
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 28
Pages 173-179
Author(s): Janssen, P. A., Harris, S. J., Soolsma, J., Klein, M., Seymour, L. C.
Single room maternity care focused on family-centered experience, has gained popularity in recent times. However, this model necessitates new demands on nursing which requires competence across the spectrum of labor, delivery, postpartum and newborn care. In another study authors of this paper have established client satisfaction with the new model of maternity care.
Added November 2012
Direct cellular vs. indirect pager communication during orthopaedic surgical procedures: A prospective study
2009
Technology and Health Care
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 17
Pages 149-157
Author(s): Ortega, G. R., Taksali, S., Smart, R., Baumgaertner, M. R.
Staff-to-staff communication is critical to quality and efficient healthcare. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers all use various methods of communication in their daily work. Difficulties in staff communication often lead to interruptions and delays in patient care, variation in response time, medical errors, violation of privacy, and dissatisfaction in patient and staff.
Added October 2012
Effect of ultraviolet germicidal lights installed in office ventilation systems on workers' health and well-being: Double-blind, multiple crossover trial
2003
The Lancet
Journal Article
Issue 9398
Volume 362
Pages 1785-1790
Author(s): Menzies, D., Popa, J., Hanley, J.A., Rand, T., Milton, D. K.
Most commercial buildings in North America are mechanically ventilated with sealed exterior shells. In this type of highly automatically controlled indoor environment, microbial contamination of the HVAC system often contributes to building-related illness and symptoms in building occupants, such as outbreaks of rhinitis, humidifier fever, asthma, hypersensitivity problems, and so on. Contamination of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa has been found on various parts of HVAC systems such as air cooling units, cooling coils, and drip pans.
Added October 2012
Predesign and Post-occupancy Analysis of Staff Behavior in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
2002
Children’s Health Care
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 31
Pages 237-253
Author(s): Shepley, M.M.
Advances in technology have resulted in an increase in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population; allowing care for newborn babies who might have died in the absence of advanced medical care. The design of NICUs has therefore become an important concern in healthcare, and an ongoing debate is the merit of open bays over closed bays. s. Changes in design have a direct impact on staff experience, and potentially staff behavior, which in turn can impact patient care.
Added October 2012
Impact of Environmental Factors on Efficacy of Upper-Room Air Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Inactivating Airborne Mycobacteria
2005
Environmental ScienceTechnology
Journal Article
Issue 24
Volume 39
Pages 9656-9664
Author(s): Xu, P., Kujundzic, E., Peccia, J., Schafer, M., Moss, G., Hernandez, M., Miller, S.
Hospitals are high exposure environments where transmission of infectious diseases is a large concern. To prevent this Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems are used as an engineering control. A common application is upper-room irradiation for which germicidal lamps are suspended from ceilings/ attached to walls, while the bottom of the lamps are shielded to direct radiation. The principle is to maximize UV radiation exposure to airborne microorganisms in the upper part of the room while minimizing radiation exposure to patients in the lower part.
Added October 2012
Cost effectiveness of a medical vigilance system to reduce patient falls
2007
Nursing Economic$
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 25
Pages 333-338, 352
Author(s): Spetz, J., Jacobs, J., Hatler, C.
Patient falls refer to patients’ unplanned descent to the floor with or without injuries to the patients. Patient falls are a leading cause of injuries and death and contribute to healthcare cost increase. The prevention of patient falls is especially important in certain patients and settings such as post-neurosurgery units where patients are often confused. A variety of fall-prevention programs have been implemented by many hospitals. Some of such programs include environmental modifications in addition to educational and operation al changes.
Added October 2012
Does the type of flooring affect the risk of hip fracture?
2004
Age and Ageing
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 33
Pages 242-246
Author(s): Simpson, A. H. R. W. , Lamb, S. , Roberts, P. J. , Gardner, T.N. , Grimley, E.J.
Hip fractures are a serious consequence of falls, especially for aging populations. Number of hip fractures occuring worldwide is estimated to reach 6.3 million worldwide, by the year 2050. Conventionally the issue of fractures has been looked at in terms of intrinsic factors related to the patient. Extrinsic factors that could affect the impact, such as the floor (or surface of the impact) have not been investigated in great details. This UK based study seeks to fill this gap in the research.
Added October 2012
The impact of ward design on the behaviour, occupational satisfaction and well-being of psychiatric nurses
2002
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 11
Pages 94–102
Author(s): Tyson, G. A. , Lambert, G., Beattie, L.
Studies have shown that modifications to the physical environment of psychiatric institutions are associated with positive changes in patient behavior, attitudes and perceptions, but less attention has been paid to the impact of these changes on the nursing staff.
Added October 2012
Does flooring type affect risk of injury in older in-patients?
1994
Nursing Times
Journal Article
Issue 27
Volume 90
Pages 40-41
Author(s): Healey, F.
Falls and injury are of great concern in healthcare institutions, even more so in wards which are likely to have older patients who are at higher fall risk. While falls can be prevented by careful treatment of intrinsic factors (to do with the patients' own health), extrinsic factors in the environment, that could increase the likelihood of falls such as poor lighting, clutter etc. must also be concerned. Of particular relevance is the issue of flooring which is a large investment for the hospital and sets the stage for patients and staff to move upon.
Added October 2012
Lumbar spine forces during manoeuvring of ceiling-based and floor-based patient transfer devices
2009
Ergonomics
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 52
Pages 384-397
Author(s): Marras, W.S., Knapik, G.G., Ferguson, S.
Patient handling is an important concern in healthcare facilities linked to patient falls, as well as staff injury. It continues to represent a high risk for low back pain among caregivers. Research shows that manual transfer of patients can impose unacceptable loads on the spine (even when the task is shared by two caregivers). Due to this, patient lift devices have gained popularity and are frequently used. However the merits and demerits between the different systems continues to be explored.
Added October 2012
Natural Ventilation for the Prevention of Airborne Contagion
2007
PlOS Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 4
Pages e68
Author(s): Escombe, R.R., Oeser, C.I., Gilman, R.H., Navincopa, M., Martinez, C., Chacaltana, J., Rodriguez, R., Moore, D.J., Friedland, J.S., Evans, C.A.
Controlling the break of nosocomial infections is arguably the highest priority in hospitals. Institutional transmission of airborne infections, such as Tubercolosis (TB) are, additionally, a public health concern. This is particularly true for developing countries, or other resource-limited settings where protective measures such as negative-pressure isolation rooms, which have become the norm in more modern settings, are difficult to implement. The global statistics on TB are staggering at 1.8 million dealths a year.
Added October 2012
A Novel PACU Design for Noise Reduction
2008
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 23
Pages 226-229
Author(s): Smykowski, L.
As redesign and renovation of patient care units occur, health care providers need to consider the importance of lowering environmental stressors. Noise in the hospital environment is one well documented problem, with detrimental effects to both patients and staff. The paper reviews the redesign of the organization's PACU that explored a unique floor plan to minimize noise and improve privacy.
Added October 2012
Control of an outbreak of nosocomial aspergillosis by laminar air-flow isolation.
1989
Journal of Hospital Infections
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 14
Pages 89094
Author(s): Barnes, RA, Rogers, TR
Laminar air flow is a system for circulating filtered air in healthcare facilities. It is very relevant to the issue of Indoor Air Quality and the impact on potential spread of infections. This paper focuses on understanding how using Laminar Air Flow (LAF) can reduce the spread of hospital acquired infections in the context of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) patients.
Added October 2012
Carpeting in hospitals: an epidemiological evaluation
1982
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 15
Pages 408-15
Author(s): Anderson, RL, Mackel, DC, Stoler, BS, Mallison, GF
Choice of flooring in a healthcare environment has tremendous cost implications. The impact of flooring on health related issues are only just beginning to be considered. A common issue of contention in healthcare design environments is the use of carpets and the implications for patient satisfaction and safety issues. While research shows that carpets may act as microbial reservoirs (especially in areas that are busy and associated with patient care) the relevance to disease, i.e. the epidemiological relevance, is not clear.
Added October 2012
Outcomes of environmental appraisal of different hospital waiting areas
2003
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 35
Pages 842-869
Author(s): Leather, P., Beale, D., Santos, A., Watts, J., Lee, L.
Hospitals can be unfamliar environments and can create negative feelings and stress. The physical environmentcan be a source of stress or haved an effect on coping resources. Past research identifies disparities and hierarchical differences between the way environmental needs and desires are prioritized for clinical and medical staff; inpatients; outpatients; and visitors. Few studies evaluate ambulatory care environments.
Added October 2012
Limiting the Spread of Infection in the Health Care Environment
Coalition for Health Environment Research and The Center for Health Design
Report
Author(s): Lankford, M..G., Collins, S. , Youngberg, L., Rooney, D. M. , Warren, J. R. , Noskin, G. A.
Added October 2012
Impact of Healthcare Environmental Design on Patient Falls
Author(s): Gulwadi, G.B., Calkins, M.P.
Added October 2012
