Multisensory Stimulation to Improve Functional Performance in Moderate to Severe Dementia—Interim Results
2010
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 25
Pages 698–703
Author(s): Collier, L., McPherson, K., Ellis-Hill, C., Staal, J., Bucks, R.
One of the innovative interventions for dementia care is the use of multisensory environments (MSEs). It is designed to stimulate senses, providing an activity-based intervention and is argued to address imbalance in sensory stimulation by pacing sensory-stimulating activity with sensory-calming activity. This sensory pacing may assist people with dementia in coping with confusion and behavior changes that are the consequences of this progressive, debilitating illness. However, the value of MSEs for people with dementia has yet to be established. Therefore, this study aimed to explore to what extent the sensory components of MSEs influence functional performance in people with moderate to severe dementia.
Added May 2014
Effect of light treatment on sleep and circadian rhythms in demented nursing home patients
2002
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 50
Pages 282-289
Author(s): Ancoli-Israel, S., Martin, J. L., Kripke, D. F., Marler, M., Klauber, M. R.
The disturbed sleep seen in nursing home residents may be due to changes in circadian rhythms. Human circadian rhythms are biological cycles of about 24 hours that include sleep/wake, body temperature, and melatonin secretion cycles. A second reason for sleep disturbances in this population may be decreased exposure to bright light. Bright light (≥ 2,000 lux) appears to be one of the most powerful synchronizers of circadian rhythms, directly influencing melatonin secretion, sleep/wake patterns, and other circadian rhythms.
Added April 2014
Increased Light Exposure Consolidates Sleep and Strengthens Circadian Rhythms in Severe Alzheimer's Disease Patients Increased Light Exposure Consolidates Sleep and Strengthens Circadian Rhythms in Severe Alzheimer's Disease Patients
2003
Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 1
Pages 22-36
Author(s): Ancoli-Israel, S., Gehrman, P., Martin, J. L., Shochat, T., Marler, M., Corey-Bloom, J., Levi, L.
Studies with examined levels of illumination in adults have shown that the average level and the average amount of bright light exposure is lower in the elderly compared to younger adults, particularly in patients who are institutionalized with dementia. Although insufficient light exposure has been implied as a cause of sleep fragmentation, until recently there had been little direct evidence for this correlation. A recent study suggested that daytime light exposure impacts both nighttime sleep consolidation and timing of peak activity level (Shochat et al., 2000). In an attempt to improve sleep in nursing home patients, the current laboratory study exposed patients with mixed types of dementia to 2,500 lux for two hours a day for 10 days either in the morning or in the evening and tested the impact of the bright lighting on sleep and circadian rhythms.
Added April 2014
The Effect of Environmental Design on Reducing Nursing Errors and Increasing Efficiency in Acute Care Settings: A Review and Analysis of the Literature
2009
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 41
Pages 755-786
Author(s): Chaudhury, H., Mahmood, A., Valente, M.
In acute care settings, the physical environment plays an important role in staff efficiency and patient safety. Some research suggests that poor environments can result in staff stress, anxiety, and distractions due to noise; artificial lighting; improper or inadequate ventilation; and disorienting layouts of nursing units. There is less research on how environmental factors affect nursing staff health, effectiveness, errors, and job satisfaction.
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
Simple Additions to the Pharmacy Waiting Area May Increase Patient Satisfaction
2004
Journal of the American Pharmacists
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 44
Pages 630-632
Author(s): Cheng, C.
Simple changes to pharmacy waiting areas, such as hanging posters related to the prescription filling process, are linked to patient satisfaction with a pharmacy.
Added March 2014
Perceived Quality of Care: The Influence of the Waiting Room Environment
2002
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 22
Pages 345-360
Author(s): Arneill, A., Devlin, A.
This study is a pioneering effort linking the physical experience of being in physician waiting rooms with perceptions of quality of care. Researchers found that the design/conditions in doctors’ waiting rooms influenced perceptions of the quality of care delivered by the doctors associated with those spaces.
Added March 2014
A controlled trial of the impact of exposure to positive images of dentistry on anticipatory dental fear in children
Issue 6
Volume 34
Pages 455-459
Author(s): Fox, C., Newton, J.
Many children are anxious about visiting the dentist, but viewing positive images of dentistry for 2 minutes in the waiting room prior to their appointment significantly reduced study participants’ anticipatory dental anxiety.
Added March 2014
Effects of exam-room computing on clinician-patient communication: A longitudinal qualitative study.
Issue 8
Volume 20
Pages 677-682
Author(s): Frankel, R., Altschuler, A., George, S., Kinsman, J, Jimison, H., Robertson, N, Hsu, J.
Computers are becoming ubiquitous in patient exam rooms. This research investigated their influence on patient-clinician communication. Of particular interest is a discussion of how the spatial organization of the exam room can support patient-clinician communication. Best were arrangements in which patient and clinician were positioned basically shoulder to shoulder so each could simultaneously view the computer screen.
Added March 2014
Health Care Wayfinding Integrates Four Aspects to Become Carefinding
2010
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Monograph
Author(s): Cooper, R.
Carefinding is a term that refers to an evidence-based approach to designing wayfinding systems in healthcare settings, catering to the needs of the users of those spaces, particularly patients and their caregivers. Successful wayfinding in healthcare facilities requires consideration of the user experience, the wayfinding process, the wayfinding plan, and implementation of the plan.
Added March 2014
The design of psychologists’ offices: a qualitative evaluation of environment-function fit
2007
AIA Academy Journal
Journal Article
Author(s): Watkins, N. J., Anthony, K. H.
Psychologists attempt to create office environments that support their therapeutic discussions with patients.
Added March 2014
Review of the Literature: Acuity-Adaptable Patient Room
2013
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 36
Pages 251–271
Author(s): Bonuel, N. , Cesario, S.
Acuity-adaptable rooms allow patients to stay in one room from the time they are admitted to when they leave, regardless of their acuity level. These specially equipped private rooms are staffed by nurses who have the skills and training to support the complete range of care for patients with similar conditions or disease processes. The rooms are larger in size than a regular hospital room to accommodate various patients’ needs as their condition changes, such as critical care equipment, additional staff, procedures, and family members.
Added March 2014
Clinical review: The impact of noise on patients’ sleep and the effectiveness of noise reduction strategies in intensive care units
2009
Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 13
Pages 208–216
Author(s): Xie, H., Kang, J., Mills, G. H.
The World Health Organization recommends that noise levels in hospitals stay below 30 dBA at night to allow for better rest, yet excessive noise is prevalent in many healthcare settings, including intensive care units (ICUs). Research indicates that, since the 1960s, noise levels in hospitals increased by an average of 0.38 dBA (day) and 0.42 dBA (night) per year. Other research reports that the noise level in ICUs ranges from 50 to 75 dBA, with a night peak level soaring to 103 dBA. It’s easy to see why sleep disturbance is common among these vulnerable patients.
Added February 2014
Direct sunlight and ventilator weaning outcomes
2012
Holistic Nursing Practice
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 26
Pages 350–355
Author(s): Wise, P. M., Wallace, D. S.
Research shows that room design and the healthcare environment offer physical and psychological benefits for patients and others. For example, windows, by providing views of nature and exposure to sun, offer beneficial effects. Attention restoration theory posits that viewing a natural scene promotes a feeling of being away from it all and allows for a mental recuperative break. This change in cognitive functioning promoted by nature offers recuperative powers.
Added February 2014
Light is beneficial for infant circadian entrainment: an actigraphic study
2012
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 68
Pages 1738–1747
Author(s): Tsai, S., Thomas, K. A., Lentz, M. J., Barnard, K. E.
When babies have their days and nights mixed up, it puts stress on the parents, disrupting their sleep, causing fatigue, and even leading to depression. Ambient light regulates the sleep-awake cycle in adults, however, it is less clear what role it plays in developing the circadian rhythms of infants. This paper takes a look at how light is related to infants’ circadian rest-activity patterns.
Added February 2014
The impact of health facilities on healthcare workers’ well-being and performance
2009
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 46
Pages 1025–1034
Author(s): Rechel, B., Buchan, J., McKee, M.
There is extensive research on the effect of healthcare environments on patients. But much less is known about health facilities’ impact the staff, even while there is growing recognition of the need for healthy working environments. Poor healthcare working environments can relate to the nature of the work—long and antisocial hours, little administrative support, physical labor, and, sometimes, violence.
Added February 2014
Nurses and stress: recognizing causes and seeking solutions
2013
Journal of Nursing Management
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 21
Pages 638–647
Author(s): Happell, B., Dwyer, T., Reid-Searl, K., Burke, K. J., Caperchione, C. M., Gaskin, C. J.
Nursing is a stressful job. This occupational stress can have negative consequences in terms of nurses’ physical and psychological health as well as for healthcare organizations and the community. Yet little is known about identifying sources of occupational stress and reducing it.
Added February 2014
Parental Views of the Social Environment of an Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic
2004
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 21
Pages 264-270
Author(s): Pritchett, J. K., Buckner, E. B.
Researchers learned that when the waiting room was eliminated and all patients and caregivers at a pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) clinic waited and received treatment in a single room with all the other patients and caregivers (except for in certain specific situations, as noted below), a social environment developed that was, the authors state, “complementary to the technical aspects of medical care.”
Added February 2014
Nursing Staff, Patient, and Environmental Factors Associated With Accurate Pain Assessment
2010
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 40
Pages 723-733
Author(s): Shugarman, L., Goebel, J., Ianto, A., Asch, S., Sherbourne, C., Lee, M., Rubenstein, L., Wen, L., Meredith, L., Lorenz, K.
Caregiver assessments of patient pain are important for diagnostic and other reasons. Distracting environments when vital-sign measurement during intake were linked with inaccurate estimates of pain by nurses and nursing support staff (for example, licensed vocational nurses).
Added February 2014
Same-Handed and Mirrored Unit Configurations: Is There a Difference in Patient and Nurse Outcomes?
2011
Journal of Nursing Administration
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 41
Pages 273-279
Author(s): Watkins, N., Kennedy, M., Ducharme, M., Padula, C.
Awareness of the impact of healthcare facility design on a number of diverse patient and staff outcomes is growing. From patient recovery time, satisfaction, and comfort to nursing staff efficiency, error rates, and distraction, varied outcomes are being linked to environmental conditions and design attributes in hospital settings. Inpatient unit configurations, specifically same-handed configurations vs. mirrored units, are a particular area of interest for researchers, with implications for practitioners and patient care. Same-handed configurations, which standardize all rooms within a unit such that they are all identical, may allow for reduced noise as headwalls are no longer shared.
Added February 2014
