Evidence-based Design - Recommendation For EBD

Recommendation For EBD

The following are three macro-objectives related to the EBD approach and some related specific objectives analyzed in ”White Paper (series 3/5)” written by The Center for Health Design; for each are briefly explained some practical actions to achieve the goal.

• OBJECTIVE 1: IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
  • 1.1 Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections. Infection rates are lower when there is good air and water quality and physical separation. This correspond to the use of air quality control measures, to the choice of easy-to-clean floor, wall, and furniture coverings, and to the preference for single-bed rooms with private toilets to enable separation or isolation of patients.
  • 1.2 Reducing Medical Errors. Several studies show that medical errors are not caused only by the mistakes of a few individuals, but often they are linked to environmental factors. For example, error rates increase when there is an interruption or distraction from an unexpected noise (a telephone call), and they decrease significantly when the lighting level for work surfaces is sufficiently high.

• OBJECTIVE 2: IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
  • 2.1 Reducing Pain. Scientific studies have shown that exposing patients to nature can produce significant alleviation of pain. Besides, other researches also suggest that patients experience less pain when exposed to high levels of daylight in their rooms. Finally, some research also supports displaying visual art with nature subject matter helps reducing pain.
  • 2.2 Improving Patients’ Sleep. Sleep disruption and deprivation are common problems in healthcare buildings; increasing acoustic performance with reduced reverberation time increased sleep quality.
  • 2.3 Reducing Patient Stress. Patient stress is a significant negative outcome in which bears many other healthcare negative consequences. A physical environment that contains stressful features makes psychological patient state worse. Several experimental studies have shown that real or simulated views of nature can produce restoration from psychological stress in few minutes. Other studies based on behavioural observation suggest that gardens in hospitals can reduce stress among patients and families. On the other hand, some studies suggest that many patients respond negatively to abstract art, causing stressful reactions. Besides, many researches has shown that noise is an important stressor.
  • 2.4 Reducing Depression. Many studies show that exposure to bright artificial light and daylight is effective in improving mood and reducing depression, even for people affected by deep depression.
  • 2.5 Reducing Spatial Disorientation. Wayfinding problems in hospitals have a significant impact both on patients and visitors, who can be stressed and disoriented. A large body of literature has explored how people find their way through hospitals and other complex buildings (i.e. Space Syntax Analysis). For example, complex layouts are difficult to find one’s way in, and some studies have found that right turns are easiest to maintain.
  • 2.6 Improving Patient Privacy and Confidentiality. It is based on great evidence that the provision of single-bed rooms increases patient privacy. Furthermore, providing private discussion rooms near waiting, admission, and reception areas may help avoiding breaches of speech privacy.
  • 2.7 Fostering Social Support. Some studies recommend the provision of stays and waiting rooms with comfortable furniture arranged in small cluster, in order to encourage social interactions. Carpets instead of vinyl for floors in patient rooms seem to increase the length of people’s stay.

• OBJECTIVE 3. IMPROVING STAFF OUTCOMES THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
  • 3.1 Decreasing Staff Stress. Stress is the most common cause of staff retirement. Environmental stressors include noise, light, and multied-bed patient rooms. In fact, survey research shows that single-bed patient rooms are perceived to be less stressful for both family and staff than ones containing multi-beds.
  • 3.2 Increasing Staff Effectiveness. While most research IS aimed at patients, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting to improve hospital efficiency through making the jobs of staff easier. This can be achieved by spatial solution, environmental factors, technological devices.