Sources and flow of healthcare built environment design evidence

Abstract

PurposeA substantial amount of research argues that built environmental interventions can improve the outcomes of patients and other users of healthcare facilities, supporting the concept of evidence-based design (EBD). However, the sources of such evidence and its flow into healthcare design are less well understood. This paper aims to provide insights to both the sources and flow of EBD used in three healthcare projects, to reveal practicalities of use and the relationships between them in practice.Design/methodology/approachThree healthcare case study projects provided empirical data on the design of a number of different elements. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify the source and flow of evidence used in this design, which was subsequently quantised to reveal the dominant patterns therein.FindingsHealthcare design teams use evidence from various sources, the knowledge and experience of the members of the design team being the most common due to both ease of access and thus flow. Practice-based research and peer-reviewed published research flow both directly and indirectly into the design process, whilst collaborations with researchers and research institutions nurture the credibility of the latter.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used to enhance activities that aim to design, conduct and disseminate future EBD research to improve their flow to healthcare designers.Originality/valueThis research contributes to understandings of EBD by exploring the flow of research from various sources in conflation and within real-life environments.

Exploring the safety and quality of mobile X-ray imaging in a new infectious disease biocontainment unit: an in situ simulation and video-reflexive study

“… 5 System-based and evidence-based approaches to design are now recognised as essential, to ensure patient and staff safety and well-being. 2 6 7 However, design teams do not necessarily draw on these approaches, 7 or may be unfamiliar with the multitude of ways that the environment can impact safety. 1 Furthermore, design flaws and solutions relevant to one setting may not be applicable or appropriate in others.…”

“… 1 Furthermore, design flaws and solutions relevant to one setting may not be applicable or appropriate in others. 7 Even with meticulous planning, latent safety threats 8 can be present in new designs, and areas for improvement may be only apparent once a new space is operationalised. 1 9 …”

Evaluating the safety and quality of portable x-ray imaging in a new infectious disease biocontainment unit: an in situ simulation and video-reflexive study

“…System-and evidence-based approaches to design are now recognised as essential, to ensure patient and staff safety and wellbeing (2,6,7). However, design teams do not necessarily draw on these approaches (7), or may be unfamiliar with the multitude of ways that the environment can impact safety (1). Furthermore, design aws and solutions relevant to one setting may not be applicable or appropriate in others (7).…”

“…Healthcare design improvements are often based on problems revealed by in-use experience, observation or survey data after a healthcare facility has been commissioned (5). System-and evidence-based approaches to design are now recognised as essential, to ensure patient and staff safety and wellbeing (2,6,7). However, design teams do not necessarily draw on these approaches (7), or may be unfamiliar with the multitude of ways that the environment can impact safety (1).…”

“…However, design teams do not necessarily draw on these approaches (7), or may be unfamiliar with the multitude of ways that the environment can impact safety (1). Furthermore, design aws and solutions relevant to one setting may not be applicable or appropriate in others (7). Even with meticulous planning, latent safety threats (8) can be present in new designs, and areas for improvement may be only apparent once a new space is operationalised (1,9).…”