scholarly journals Using daily objects as material primes of valorisation and control in psychiatric facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Rehn

Abstract As part of the built environment objects and interior design features can affect thoughts, emotions and behaviour in various ways. Referring to the concept of material and conceptual priming (Kay et al., 2004; Berger & Fitzsimons, 2008), these objects can provoke associations and by that subconsciously activate mental concepts which influence emotional states, judgements and subsequent behaviours. In many healthcare facilities, the formal-aesthetic design of the built environment visually conveys the concept of institutionalisation through clinical and sterile styles, impersonal and standardised configurations and a lack of individualisation. This applies in particular to the setting of psychiatric facilities in which from a clinical point of view sterile and impersonal aesthetics are not required and might even be detrimental to the therapeutic processes. However, there is reason to believe that the use of everyday objects can support therapeutic processes and thus be seen as an element of psychosocially supportive design (Ulrich, 1997) in two ways. Firstly, everyday objects derived from domestic contexts refer to aesthetics that are contrary to the concept of institutionalisation. Instead by communicating features of comfort and subtle luxury they might activate the mental concept of valorisation which can be seen as an important resource in therapeutic settings that strengthens commitment and trusts. Secondly, offering choice of a variety of everyday objects in psychiatric settings enables patients to exert control in a context that otherwise is characterised by total loss of control. This increased sense of control is an important part of Antonovsky's sense of coherence (1979) and a valuable asset for recovery and empowerment of psychiatric patients.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udomiaye Emmanuel ◽  
◽  
Desy Osondu Eze ◽  
Kalu Cheche Kalu ◽  
Aminu Ahmad Haliru

The emergence of the novel coronavirus, increase in microbial resistance and the scarceness of vaccines for the present pandemic have made it imperative to appraise the link between the sustainable built environment and Infection control as well as the strategies employed during the pre-antibiotic period. This paper aims to identify the nexus between a sustainable built environment and infection control in healthcare facilities with the view of developing guidelines and highlighting the role of architecture in curbing the pandemic. The study relied on existing studies, interviews, and interactions with healthcare workers. The findings showed that sustainable design strategies play a significant role in infection prevention and control and could as well be a panacea for curbing the spread of Coronavirus, especially in healthcare facilities. A sustainable environment for hospitals or healthcare facilities, apart from low energy and carbon emission, needs to integrate design strategies to confront the impact of healthcare-associated infections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
I. Naydenova

As a research area, interior design took shape in the 20s of the last century, despite the fact that the practice of decorating living spaces dates back many hundreds of years. However, the "self-sufficiency" of design and its connection with architecture to this day is the subject of scientific discussions of urban specialists, historians, art historians, and anthropologists. The article discusses the leading artistic styles and trends that prevailed in architecture and design from the point of view of their mutual influence on each other. Time frame of the research: from the middle of XIX century to the first half of XX century. As a result of the research of foreign experience in the formation of interior design, the main stages of the movement development and its relationship with architecture in two formations were identified: activities directly dependent on architectural decisions, activities that determine the entire design process to a large extent: from the functional zoning of the premises to the features of the placement of utilities in the building. Entering the information era in art as a whole is characterized by the rejection of slogans that clearly delineate stylistic boundaries and determine the role of a designer in creating the living space. The determining factor influencing the integrity of the building’s appearance in a modern view is the harmony of the facade and the internal content, which was made possible thanks to the equal interaction of the architect and designer, starting from the first half of the 20th century.


2019 ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
Yao Yueqin ◽  
Oleksiy Kozlov ◽  
Oleksandr Gerasin ◽  
Galyna Kondratenko

Analysis and formalization of the monitoring and automatic control tasks of the MR for the movement and execution of various types of technological operations on inclined and vertical ferromagnetic surfaces are obtained. Generalized structure of mobile robotic complex is shown with main subsystems consideration. Critical analysis of the current state of the problem of development of universal structures of mobile robots (MRs) for the various types of technological operations execution and elaborations of computerized systems for monitoring and control of MR movement is done. In particular, wheeled, walked and crawler type MRs with pneumatic, vacuum-propeller, magnetic and magnetically operated clamping devices to grip with vertical and ceiling surfaces are reviewed. The constructive features of the crawler MR with magnetic clamping devices capable of moving along sloping ferromagnetic surfaces are considered. The basic technical parameters of the MR are shown for the further synthesis of computerized monitoring and automatic control systems. Formalization of the tasks of monitoring and control of the MR positioning at the processing of large area ferromagnetic surfaces is considered from the point of view of control theory.


Author(s):  
B. A. Katsnelson ◽  
M. P. Sutunkova ◽  
N. A. Tsepilov ◽  
V. G. Panov ◽  
A. N. Varaksin ◽  
...  

Sodium fluoride solution was injected i.p. to three groups of rats at a dose equivalent to 0.1 LD50 three times a week up to 18 injections. Two out of these groups and two out of three groups were sham-injected with normal saline and were exposed to the whole body impact of a 25 mT static magnetic field (SMF) for 2 or 4 hr a day, 5 times a week. Following the exposure, various functional and biochemical indices were evaluated along with histological examination and morphometric measurements of the femur in the differently exposed and control rats. The mathematical analysis of the combined effects of the SMF and fluoride based on the a response surface model demonstrated that, in full correspondence with what we had previously found for the combined toxicity of different chemicals, the combined adverse action of a chemical plus a physical agent was characterized by a tipological diversity depending not only on particular effects these types were assessed for but on the dose and effect levels as well. From this point of view, the indices for which at least one statistically significant effect was observed could be classified as identifying (I) mainly single-factor action; (II) additive unidirectional action; (III) synergism (superadditive unidirectional action); (IV) antagonism, including both subadditive unidirectional action and all variants of contradirectional action.


Author(s):  
Anne Weissenstein

We present an update on infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in healthcare settings. This update focuses on measures to be applied in settings with increasing community transmission, growing demand for concern about COVID-19 patients, and subsequent staffing issues in the event of shortages of personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities worldwide. The comfort and emotional resilience of health care workers are key components in maintaining essential health care services during the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.


Author(s):  
Nadine Al-Bqour ◽  
Shaher Rababeh ◽  
Rama Al-Rabady

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a practical framework that combines the psychological supportive design features in hospitals’ healing environments, also, to examine the implementation of these features in a Jordanian public hospital. Background: Positive psychological feelings are the hidden powerful treatment in hospitals. Although that Jordan represents a third-world country, it is counted as one of the most sought-after healthcare locations in the Middle East for its distinguished healthcare serveries (Private Hospitals Association, 2019). Nevertheless, the architectural and interior design of the healthcare facilities in Jordan usually ignores the inpatients’ psychological needs. Also, there is an absence of practicing a set of psychological supportive design features to guide the hospitals’ design in Jordan. Method: Design features are obtained from the main theories in the field of supportive healing environments. A large Jordanian public hospital was selected to be assessed in terms of these features within the developed practical framework. This study adopts a mixed methodology; data are collected using different methods, mainly literature review, site inventory, and inpatients’ questionnaire. Results: The studied hospital remains moderately considerable in terms of the psychologically supportive design features. However, the nature connectivity aspect is not satisfactorily considered in the studied hospital design. Conclusion: This study suggests a responsive design that fosters interaction and integration with surrounding nature in order to increase levels of connectivity with nature. The studied design features in this study could work as guiding principles for Jordanian hospitals’ designers.


Author(s):  
Doriana Landi ◽  
Marta Ponzano ◽  
Carolina Gabri Nicoletti ◽  
Gaia Cola ◽  
Gianluca Cecchi ◽  
...  

AbstractRestrictions in the access to healthcare facilities during COVID-19 pandemic have raised the need for remote monitoring of chronic medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to enable the continuity of care in these circumstances, many telemedicine applications are currently tested. While physicians’ preferences are commonly investigated, data regarding the patients’ point of view are still lacking. We built a 37 items web-based survey exploring patients’ propensity, awareness, and opinions on telemedicine with the aim to evaluate the sustainability of this approach in MS. Analysing 613 questionnaires out of 1093 that were sent to persons with MS followed at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Tor Vergata University, Rome, we found that more than half of respondents (54%) were open to having a televisit. Propensity toward telemedicine significantly depended on having a higher income (p = 0.037), living farther from the center (p = 0.038), using computer and tablet (p = 0.010) and using the Internet for other remote activities (p < 0.001), conversely it was not influenced by any specific disease characteristics (i.e. degree of disability). The main advantages and disadvantages of televisit reported by participants were respectively saving time (70%) and impossibility to measure physical parameters (71%). Although the majority of respondents are in favour of televisit, so far this approach is restricted to those displaying better socioeconomic conditions and higher familiarity with technology. Implications of the study are that telemedicine platforms should be better tailored to patients’ demands in order to spread the use of telemedicine, to enhance usability and to increase patients’ adherence.


2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Harper ◽  
Richard Latto

Stereo scene capture and generation is an important facet of presence research in that stereoscopic images have been linked to naturalness as a component of reported presence. Three-dimensional images can be captured and presented in many ways, but it is rare that the most simple and “natural” method is used: full orthostereoscopic image capture and projection. This technique mimics as closely as possible the geometry of the human visual system and uses convergent axis stereography with the cameras separated by the human interocular distance. It simulates human viewing angles, magnification, and convergences so that the point of zero disparity in the captured scene is reproduced without disparity in the display. In a series of experiments, we have used this technique to investigate body image distortion in photographic images. Three psychophysical experiments compared size, weight, or shape estimations (perceived waist-hip ratio) in 2-D and 3-D images for the human form and real or virtual abstract shapes. In all cases, there was a relative slimming effect of binocular disparity. A well-known photographic distortion is the perspective flattening effect of telephoto lenses. A fourth psychophysical experiment using photographic portraits taken at different distances found a fattening effect with telephoto lenses and a slimming effect with wide-angle lenses. We conclude that, where possible, photographic inputs to the visual system should allow it to generate the cyclopean point of view by which we normally see the world. This is best achieved by viewing images made with full orthostereoscopic capture and display geometry. The technique can result in more-accurate estimations of object shape or size and control of ocular suppression. These are assets that have particular utility in the generation of realistic virtual environments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s879-s879
Author(s):  
I. Sosin ◽  
Y. Chuev ◽  
A. Volkov ◽  
O. Goncharova

IntroductionModern clinical narcology searches for anti-craving programs to overcome psychoactive substances (PAS) pathological addiction with bio-adaptive regulation of systems (BARS).Aims and objectivesTo develop computer modified biofeedback program integrated with Luscher test.MethodTwenty-two PAS addicts who were undergoing biofeedback modified psycho-training were examined. Computer rheoencephalogram (REG) was used as an external monitoring module.ResultsTechnologically novel biofeedback computer modification was developed with preceding Luscher computer testing for determination of the individual preference colour and the colour producing individual unpleasant associations in respondents. Consequently, biofeedback program was corrected differentially by changing standard colour templates for those personified on monitor. Cerebral hemodynamics condition transferred to individually designed for a particular respondent colour registers is used as a homeostatic parameter reflecting alcohol craving presence/absence: in case of the disordered REG parameters the signal reflects the respondent's unpleasant (negative) colour, and with no craving the screen is filled with positive, pleasant, favourite colour. During BARS auto-training the respondents’ skills to mediate present subjective clinical PAS craving manifestations with unpleasant colour and the experimental auto-training method have been mastered, and those psycho emotional states which displace PAS craving symbolic colour from the screen are selected, and it is substituted with favourite colour (symbol of healthy mode of life motivations).ConclusionsUsage of combined BARS biofeedback improved effectiveness of the training and allowed to objectivize and control the condition of the patient getting reliable visual and digital information about either regress or activation of PAS craving and potential relapse of addictive behaviour.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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