The Impact of Windows and Daylight on Acute-Care Nurses' Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Health

Abstract

Critical care/intensive care, lighting, nursing, quality care, work environment.

Effects of biophilic interventions in office on stress reaction and cognitive function: A randomized crossover study in virtual reality

“…The positive effects of biophilic interventions on blood pressure and heart rate are consistent with previous studies on the health benefits of windows and daylight, indoor green plants, and wooden environments. 32,61,62 Interestingly, those results were also consistent with a recent meta-analysis summarizing the health benefits of outdoor nature, which showed increased green space exposure was associated with significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. 16 We found increased RMSSD, although not statistically significant, in both the natural elements and combination conditions.…”

Understanding the impact of the physical health care environment on nurse fatigue

“…The SEIPS model acknowledges that the nurse work system is comprised of individuals and their interactions with the environment, tasks, tools and technology, and the larger organisation through policies and regulations (Carayon et al, ; Holden et al, ). As part of the nurse work system, the physical health care environment (PHE) has been identified as impacting nurse fatigue through environmental variables including unit, breakroom and patient room layouts, lighting, noise, temperature and supply locations (Nejati, Shepley, Rodiek, Lee, & Varni, ; Steege et al, ; Steege et al, ; Zadeh, Shepley, Williams, & Chung, ).…”

“…Prior research has largely focused on design elements related to noise, temperature and lighting in regard to nurse fatigue (Steege et al, ; Zadeh et al, ). Specifically, Zadeh et al () found nurses who were exposed to daylight at their workstation exhibited significantly improved physiological (blood pressure and body temperature) and psychological (behavioural indicators of sleepiness, mood, frequency of communication and positive social interaction) responses, suggesting access to daylight can positively impact nurses and help reduce nurse fatigue in the physical, emotional and psychosocial dimensions. Participants in this study identified sensory factors as impacting all four fatigue dimensions.…”

“…As part of the nurse work system, the physical health care environment (PHE) has been identified as impacting nurse fatigue through environmental variables including unit, breakroom and patient room layouts, lighting, noise, temperature and supply locations (Nejati, Shepley, Rodiek, Lee, & Varni, 2016;Steege et al, 2015;Steege et al, 2015;Zadeh, Shepley, Williams, & Chung, 2014).…”

“…Participants identified ten design elements related to sensory factors in the PHE. Prior research has largely focused on design elements related to noise, temperature and lighting in regard to nurse fatigue (Steege et al, 2015;Zadeh et al, 2014). Specifically, Zadeh et al (2014) found nurses who were exposed to daylight at their Prior research also suggests the layout of both the unit and patient room can impact nurse fatigue (Steege et al, 2015;Steege & Dykstra, 2016).…”