Pre-versus post-occupancy evaluation of daylight quality in hospitals
2010
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Issue 12
Volume 45
Pages 2652-2665
Author(s): Alzoubi, H., Al-Rqaibat, S., Bataineh, R. F.
Studies show that most hospital occupants prefer natural daylight to electrical light. Daylight can be used to optimize patient comfort by creating a more attractive indoor setting. Daylight has been linked to higher levels of staff performance and productivity along with reduced energy use and hospital emissions. Comparisons of pre- and post-occupancy lighting levels evaluate how well a space being put to use matches the predicted situation.
Added March 2015
Healing environment: A review of the impact of physical environmental factors on users
2012
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Huisman, E. R. C. M., Morales, E., van Hoof, J., Kort, H. S. M.
According to the authors, research that examines the physical environment and its impact on the healing and well-being of human beings has been growing in the last several years. There is increasing availability of literature on evidence-based design.
Added March 2015
A numerical investigation of vertical and horizontal laminar airflow ventilation in an operating room
2014
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Sadrizadeh, S., Holmberg, S., Tammelin, A.
Laminar airflow (LAF) ventilation or parallel distribution system is the most commonly-used ventilation system in operating rooms (ORs). There is, however, much uncertainty about better efficacy of vertical or down flow LAF and horizontal or lateral flow LAF in controlling infections in ORs.
Added March 2015
Impacts of indoor daylight environments on patient average length of stay (ALOS) in a healthcare facility
2012
Building and Environment
Journal Article
Author(s): Choi, J.-H., Beltran, L. O., Kim, H.-S.
One of the components that increases the quality of the indoor environment in hospitals is window views with access to daylight. The orientation of a window can be significant to the amount of daylight a room can get. This study examined the indoor environments of patient rooms located on different sides of a hospital building to investigate the impact of daylight on the length of stay.
Added March 2015
Cost-Effectiveness of Hospital Design: Options to Improve Patient Safety and Wellbeing
2011
York Health Economic Consortium
Report
Author(s): Lowson, K., Kelly, J., Bending, M., Whitehead, S., Wright, D., Duffy, S., Trueman, P., Saxby, R., West, P.
Added March 2015
Efforts To Improve Patient Safety Result in 1.3 Million Fewer Patient Harms
Author(s): AHRQ
Added March 2015
Realizing improved patient care through human-centered operating room design: A human factors methodology for observing flow disruptions in the cardiothoracic operating room
2013
Anesthesiology
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 119
Pages 1066-1077
Author(s): Palmer, G., Abernathy, J. H., Swinton, G., Allison, D., Greenstein, J., Shappell, S., Juang, K., Reeves, S. T.
The authors indicate that disruptions in the workflow of surgeries can extend surgery times and contribute to the escalation of healthcare costs.
Added March 2015
Using human factors engineering to improve patient safety in the cardiovascular operating room
2012
Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation
Journal Article
Volume 41
Pages 1801-1804
Author(s): Gurses, A. P., Martinez, E. A., Bauer, L., Kim, G., Lubomski, L. H., Marsteller, J. A., Pennathur, P. R., Goeschel, C., Pronovost, P. J., Thompson, D.
Cardiac surgery, despite technological and medical advances, involves high risks related to adverse events and medical errors that occur in the operating room. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model was used to guide the research – focusing on the different variables (providers, physical environment, tools and technologies, tasks, organization) in the care environment and the impact of their interaction on patient outcomes.
Added March 2015
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
Planning a Cardiovascular Hybrid Operating Room: the Technical Point of View
2009
The Heart Surgery Forum
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 12
Pages E125-E130
Author(s): Nollert, G., Wich, S.
The authors allude to the growing trend of using hybrid operating rooms (ORs) for a wide range of cardiac surgeries and interventions. Given the complexity of the work environment, the authors emphasize the need for integrating clinical, technical, and architectural knowledge and expertise into the design of a hybrid OR.
Added March 2015
Energy Efficient Hospital Patient Room Design: Effect of Room Shape on Window-to-Wall Ratio in a Desert Climate
Author(s): Sherif, A., Sabry, H., Arafa, R., Wagby, A.
Windows are significant to the healing process in hospitals because of their ability to provide access to daylight and external views. However, in desert climates windows also contribute to increased hospital energy consumption because of the increased cooling load.
Added March 2015
Sleep disorder in cardiac care units: A special look at noise and light effects
2014
International Journal of Bioassays
Journal Article
Issue 01
Volume 4
Pages 3680-3685
Author(s): Sheihki, M. A., Ebadi, A., Rahmani, H.
Patients in hospitals sometimes experience disturbed sleep because of environmental factors. The lack of adequate sleep has many adverse effects, and these effects are particularly critical in the case of patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
Added March 2015
A review of design recommendations for outdoor areas at healthcare facilities
2012
Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 22
Pages 33-47
Author(s): Shukor, S. F. A, Stigsdotter, U. K., Nilsson, K.
The authors allude to the growing body of scientific literature that indicates the positive contribution of natural environments to human health. The stress caused by staying in a healthcare facility can be allayed by supportive outdoor natural environments.
Added March 2015
Changes in patient satisfaction related to hospital renovation: Experience with a new clinical building
2015
Journal of Hospital Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 10
Pages 165-171
Author(s): Siddiqui, Z. K., Zuccarelli, R, Durkin, N., Wu, A. W., Brotman, D. J.
As hospitals increasingly implement novel designs geared towards patient satisfaction and improved care, further research into the details of patient satisfaction levels is needed. By understanding patient perceptions of these new, patient-centered built environments and the care provided within them, healthcare providers and designers could more accurately project which design decisions will provide improved levels of patient satisfaction within a variety of contexts.
Added March 2015
Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression, and agitation in persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities
2014
Clinical Interventions in Aging
Journal Article
Author(s): Figueiro, M. G., Plitnick, B. A., Lok, A., Jones, G. E., Higgins, P., Hornick, T. R., Rea, M. S.
In 2010, an estimated 5.1 million elderly Americans were affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Individuals with ADRD are often transferred into controlled environments due to common behavioral symptoms such as nocturnal wandering, disturbed sleep-wake patterns, agitation, and verbal or physical abuse.
Added March 2015
Visual Risk Factors for Falls in Older People
2001
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 49
Pages 508-515
Author(s): Lord, S. R., Dayhew, J.
Added March 2015
Using Music to Reduce Noise Stress for Patients in the Emergency Department A Pilot Study
2010
Music and Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 2
Pages 201-207
Author(s): Short, A. E., Ahern, N., Holdgate, A., Morris, J., Sidhu, B.
High levels of noise within emergency departments (EDs) have been associated with higher levels of patient stress. Noise and the stress it causes have been observed as a contributing factor to slower recovery rates and overall lower rates of satisfaction among patients.
Added March 2015
Emergency department observation units: A clinical and financial benefit for hospitals
2011
Health Care Management Review
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 36
Pages 28-37
Author(s): Baugh, C.W., Venkatesh, A. K., Bohan, J. S.
This article presents a review of literature to make a clinical and business case for establishing EDOUs. The literature was found to indicate that EDOU care contributes to more effective clinical decision-making and the generation of higher revenue than the same patients would if admitted and then discharged.
Added March 2015
Optimizing Emergency Department Front-End Operations
2010
Annals of Emergency Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 55
Pages 142-160.e1
Author(s): Wiler, J. L., Gentle, C., Halfpenny, J. M., Heins, A., Mehrotra, A., Mikhail, M. G., Fite, D.
Added March 2015
Measures of Crowding in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review
2011
Academic Emergency Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 18
Pages 527-538
Author(s): Hwang, U., McCarthy, M. L., Aronsky, D., Asplin, B., Crane, P. W., Craven, C. K., Epstein, S. K., Fee, C., Handel, D. A., Pines, J. M., Rathlev, N. K., Schafermeyer, R. W., Zwemer, F. L.. Jr., Bernstein, S. L.
Added March 2015
