scholarly journals Evaluating Wayfinding Designs in Healthcare Settings through EEG Data and Virtual Response Testing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Kalantari ◽  
Vidushi Tripathi ◽  
James D. Rounds ◽  
Armin Mostafavi ◽  
Robin Snell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interior Design ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Testing Platform ◽  
Hospital Design ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Response Testing

ABSTRACTWayfinding difficulties in healthcare facilities have been shown to increase anxiety among patients and visitors and reduce staff operational efficiency. Wayfinding-oriented interior design features have proven beneficial, but the evaluation of their performance is hindered by the unique nature healthcare facilities and the expense of testing different navigational aids. This study implemented a virtual-reality testing platform to evaluate the effects of different signage and interior hospital design conditions during navigational tasks; evaluated through behavioral responses and mobile EEG. The results indicated that using color to highlight destinations and increase the contrast of wayfinding information yielded significant benefits when combined with wayfinding-oriented environmental affordances. Neural dynamics from the occipital cortex showed beta-band desynchronization with enhanced color condition and additional theta-band desynchronization with enhanced environmental affordance. This multimodal testing platform has the potential to establish a robust body of evidence for future wayfinding design strategies.

The Psychological Supportive Design Features in Hospitals: Case of a Public Jordanian Hospital in Amman

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672110295
Author(s):  
Nadine Al-Bqour ◽  
Shaher Rababeh ◽  
Rama Al-Rabady
Keyword(s):  
Interior Design ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Hospital Design ◽  
Third World Country ◽  
Responsive Design ◽  
Healing Environments ◽  
Supportive Design

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.

scholarly journals Enhancing appropriate environmental design in healthcare facilities for the inhibition of nosocomial infection

2019 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 01059
Author(s):  
Khai Tran Van
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infection ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Application Range ◽  
Hospital Design ◽  
Spread Of Infection

A Nosocomial infection also known as a hospital-acquired infection (HAI), is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or other health care facility are increasing even in Contemporary Hospitals of Vietnam. This study described how HALs occur in patients during the time under medical care in healthcare facilities as during hospitalization, the patient is exposed to pathogens through different sources which mostly are environment, healthcare staff, and other infected patients. The prevention and control of HALs requires the implementation of infection control interventions. The role of infection control mentioned in this study is to review and approve construction and architecture design measures to ensure they meet the demands for minimizing nosocomial infections. This study examines how HALs spread among hospitalized patients via environmental routes and how the application of appropriate design of the hospital plays a critical part in preventing the spread of infection. As the application of new technologies has application range within stamina in cases of climate changes, the findings of this study is the adoption of flexible transformable hospital design strategies in Vietnam to prevent infection.

COVID-19: The Importance of Adequate Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare Medical Staff

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Weissenstein
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
And Control

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.

scholarly journals “Just So You Know, It Has Been Hard”: Food Retailers’ Perspectives of Implementing a Food and Nutrition Policy in Public Healthcare Settings

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2053
Author(s):  
Kristy Karying. Law ◽  
Claire Elizabeth. Pulker ◽  
Janelle Diann. Healy ◽  
Christina Mary. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Voluntary Standards ◽  
Policy Success ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Mandated policies to improve food environments in public settings are an important strategy for governments. Most Australian governments have mandated policies or voluntary standards for healthy food procurement in healthcare facilities, however, implementation and compliance are poor. A better understanding of the support required to successfully implement such policies is needed. This research explored food retailers’ experiences in implementing a mandated food and nutrition policy (the Policy) in healthcare settings to identify barriers, enablers, and impacts of compliance. Three 90-min workshops facilitated by two public health practitioners were undertaken with 12 food retailers responsible for operating 44 outlets across four hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. Workshop discussions were transcribed non-verbatim and inductive thematic content was analyzed. Three main themes were identified: (1) food retailers had come to accept their role in implementing the Policy; (2) the Policy made it difficult for food retailers to operate successfully, and; (3) food retailers needed help and support to implement the Policy. Findings indicate the cost of implementation is borne by food retailers. Communications campaigns, centralized databases of classified products, reporting frameworks, recognition of achievements, and dedicated technical expertise would support achieving policy compliance. Feasibility assessments prior to policy implementation are recommended for policy success.

In the Moment: Fostering Mindfulness and Reducing Stressors in the Healthcare Workplace

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672098824
Author(s):  
Shabboo Valipoor ◽  
Sheila J. Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
The Moment

While healthcare design research has primarily focused on patient outcomes, there is a growing recognition that environmental interventions could do more by promoting the overall quality of care, and this requires expanding the focus to the health and well-being of those who deliver care to patients. Healthcare professionals are under high levels of stress, leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and poor patient care. Among other tools, mindfulness is recommended as a way of decreasing stress and helping workers function at higher levels. This article aims to identify potential environmental strategies for reducing work-related stressors and facilitating mindfulness in healthcare settings. By examining existing evidence on workplace mindfulness and stress-reducing design strategies, we highlight the power of the physical environment in not only alleviating stressful conditions but intentionally encouraging a mindful perspective. Strategies like minimizing distractions or avoiding overstimulation in the healthcare environment can be more effective if implemented along with the provision of designated spaces for mindfulness-based programs. Future research may explore optimal methods and hospital workers’ preferences for environments that support mindfulness and stress management. The long-term goal of all these efforts is to enhance healthcare professionals’ well-being, reignite their professional enthusiasm, and help them be resilient in times of stress.

scholarly journals State-wide Genomic Epidemiology Investigations of COVID-19 Infections in Healthcare Workers: Insights for Future Pandemic Preparedness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E Watt ◽  
Norelle L Sherry ◽  
Patiyan Andersson ◽  
Courtney R Lane ◽  
Sandra Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Transmission Networks ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
Genomic Epidemiology ◽  
Sequencing Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Background COVID-19 has resulted in many infections in healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. We performed state-wide SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiological investigations to identify HCW transmission dynamics and provide recommendations to optimise healthcare system preparedness for future outbreaks. Methods Genome sequencing was attempted on all COVID-19 cases in Victoria, Australia. We combined genomic and epidemiologic data to investigate the source of HCW infections across multiple healthcare facilities (HCFs) in the state. Phylogenetic analysis and fine-scale hierarchical clustering were performed for the entire Victorian dataset including community and healthcare cases. Facilities provided standardised epidemiological data and putative transmission links. Findings Between March and October 2020, approximately 1,240 HCW COVID-19 infection cases were identified; 765 are included here. Genomic sequencing was successful for 612 (80%) cases. Thirty-six investigations were undertaken across 12 HCFs. Genomic analysis revealed that multiple introductions of COVID-19 into facilities (31/36) were more common than single introductions (5/36). Major contributors to HCW acquisitions included mobility of staff and patients between wards and facilities, and characteristics and behaviours of individual patients including super-spreading events. Key limitations at the HCF level were identified. Interpretation Genomic epidemiological analyses enhanced understanding of HCW infections, revealing unsuspected clusters and transmission networks. Combined analysis of all HCWs and patients in a HCF should be conducted, supported by high rates of sequencing coverage for all cases in the population. Established systems for integrated genomic epidemiological investigations in healthcare settings will improve HCW safety in future pandemics.

Designing Interiors

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Crespi
Keyword(s):  
Interior Design ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Common Thread ◽  
Ways Of Thinking ◽  
Industrialised Countries ◽  
Theoretical Reflection ◽  
The Way

The following is a theoretical reflection about the re-development of existing spaces. First, various changes in the way we live worldwide are considered, especially in industrialised countries. Then a process that spans from research to design is proposed to identify those actions required to reach an innovative response to the problem at hand. The second part of chapter illustrates a series of possible design strategies collected from the interior design work of past masters and contemporary designers. The goal is to offer a possible reading of certain important examples, providing an inventory, by definition an incomplete one, of design approaches, ways of thinking, and practices. Sometimes there is a common thread, sometimes not.

scholarly journals Assessing the role of inter-facility patient transfer in the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: the case of France between 2012 and 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narimane Nekkab ◽  
Pascal Crépey ◽  
Pascal Astagneau ◽  
Lulla Opatowski ◽  
Laura Temime
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Patient Transfer ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Patient Transfers ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Local Transmission

Abstract The spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in healthcare settings is a major public health threat that has been associated with cross-border and local patient transfers between healthcare facilities. Since the impact of transfers on spread may vary, our study aimed to assess the contribution of a patient transfer network on CPE incidence and spread at a countrywide level, with a case study of France from 2012 to 2015. Our results suggest a transition in 2013 from a CPE epidemic sustained by internationally imported episodes to an epidemic sustained by local transmission events through patient transfers. Incident episodes tend to occur within close spatial distance of their potential infector. We also observe an increasing frequency of multiple spreading events, originating from a limited number of regional hubs. Consequently, coordinated prevention and infection control strategies should focus on transfers of carriers of CPE to reduce regional and inter-regional transmission.

Investigating the Impact of Healthcare Environmental Design on Staff Security: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 193758672092140
Author(s):  
Soheyla MohammadiGorji ◽  
Sheila J. Bosch ◽  
Shabboo Valipoor ◽  
Giuliano De Portu
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Environmental Design ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To systematically review the literature regarding the role of the physical environment in preventing or mitigating aggressive behavior toward healthcare professionals in acute care, outpatient, and psychiatric/behavioral health facilities. Background: Globally, the incidence of violence against healthcare professionals is alarming. Poor environmental design has been identified as a risk factor of violence toward employees. The design of the physical setting in which healthcare is provided may moderate the incidence and severity of violence against healthcare workers. Methods: We conducted electronic database searches of PubMed and CINAHL through November 2018. Result: Findings were organized according to four categories identified in the literature regarding crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) including natural surveillance, access control, territoriality, and other CPTED elements. Fifteen studies (published between 1991 and 2017) met the inclusion criteria. Of the 15 studies, 4 incorporated environmental interventions. In the 11 remaining studies, physical environment attributes (i.e., layout, location, ambient conditions, equipment) were among the factors affecting violent incidents and staff security. Most study settings were hospital-based (11, with 10 of those specifically focused on emergency departments), followed by behavioral health facilities (4 studies). Design-focused recommendations, such as providing a second door in a triage room and a sub-waiting area inside the treatment zone, were summarized according to CPTED categories. Conclusion: This review suggests that the physical environment in healthcare facilities may affect the incidence of violence by patients or visitors against staff. Further research is needed to identify environmental design strategies that may protect the safety of healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Novel Alcohol-Based Surface Disinfectant for Disinfection of Hard and Soft Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Alhmidi ◽  
Sreelatha Koganti ◽  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Herleen Rai ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Abstract We examined the efficacy of a new 1-step cleaner and disinfectant containing 30% ethanol that is applied as a spray. The product rapidly reduced vegetative bacterial pathogens on carriers and on hard and soft surfaces in healthcare settings, but it did not stain clothing.

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