User Evaluation of Neonatology Ward Design: An Application of Focus Group and Semantic Differential

[EN] Objective: The object of this article is to identify the set of affective and emotional factors behind users assessments of a space in a neonatology unit and to propose design guidelines based on these. Background: The importance of the neonatology service and the variety of users place great demands on the space at all levels. Despite the repercussions, the emotional aspects of the environment have received less attention. Methods: To avoid incurring limitations in the user mental scheme, this study uses two complementary methodologies: focus group and semantic differential. The (qualitative) focus group methodology provides exploratory information and concepts. The (quantitative) semantic differential methodology then uses these concepts to extract the conceptual structures that users employ in their assessment of the space. Of the total 175 subjects, 31 took part in focus groups and 144 in semantic differential. Results: Five independent concepts were identified: privacy, functionality and professional nature, spaciousness, lighting, and cleanliness. In relation to the importance of the overall positive assessment of the space, the perception of privacy and sensations of dominance and pleasure are fundamental. Six relevant design aspects were also identified: provide spacious surroundings, facilitate sufficient separation between the different posts or cots, use different colors from those usually found in health-care centers, as some aversion was found to white and especially green, design areas with childhood themes, use warm artificial light, and choose user-friendly equipment. Conclusions: Results provide design recommendations of interest and show the possibilities offered by combining both systems to analyze user response.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (Project TIN2013-45736-R).Higuera-Trujillo, JL.; Montañana I Aviñó, A.; Llinares Millán, MDC. (2017). User Evaluation of Neonatology Ward Design: An Application of Focus Group and Semantic Differential. HERD Health Environments Research & Design Journal. 10(2):23-48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586716641275S234810

Effects of bathing, passive range-of-motion exercises, and turning on oxygen consumption in healthy men and women

BACKGROUND: Baseline data are needed to provide a foundation for future studies investigating the effects of various nursing interventions on the oxygen requirements of critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for the oxygen requirements of adults in response to three common patient events: a nurse-administered bed bath, passive range-of-motion exercises, and turning from side to side; and to determine whether the order in which the interventions were administered had an effect on oxygen consumption. METHODS: A convenience sample of 30 healthy men and women were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, for which the order in which interventions were to be administered had previously been designated. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mean oxygen consumption among activities, as well as between men and women, with men having a significantly higher mean oxygen consumption than that of the women. For both men and women, the mean oxygen consumption during unassisted turning and back care was significantly higher than at baseline. The oxygen consumption for men averaged 4.25 mL/kg per minute, SD = .71 at baseline, 5.08 mL/kg per minute, SD = .98 for turning, and 4.72 mL/kg per minute, SD = .90 during back care. Women averaged 3.74 mL/kg per minute, SD = .49 at baseline, 4.48 mL/kg per minute, SD = .85 for turning, and 3.89 mL/kg per minute, SD = 1.15 during back care. Changes in oxygen consumption for other interventions were nonsignificant and negligible. Oxygen consumption returned to near baseline within 15 minutes of cessation of activity. The order in which interventions were administered did not have a significant effect on oxygen consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior bath and passive range of motion exercises have minimal effect on oxygen consumption. Turning and back care significantly increase oxygen consumption from the baseline value. The order in which interventions are administered does not have any appreciable effect on oxygen consumption.</jats:p

Energy-efficient management of lighting in a Veterans Administration medical center

More thn 200 solid-state fluorescent ballasts were installed in representative areas of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Long Beach, California, to determine the cost-effectiveness of the installation and to measure levels of conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI). The power, illumination, and EMI levels were measured first as the test sites initially existed, then after the fixtures were cleaned and relamped with energy-saving fluorescent lamps, and finally after the core-coil ballasts were replaced with solid-state ballasts. The annual energy savings for the complete retrofit was measured as 34%. In the director's suite natural daylight was used to supplement the electrical illumination, saving an additional 20 to 25% in energy. Thus, in that area, the total annual energy savings amounted to 51%. EMI levels were measured in general areas (lobby and director's suite), in diagnostic examination areas, and in a coronary care ward. The EMI levels, compared to existing levels, were not considered excessive. All of the above data are analyzed on the basis of life-cycle costing. The analysis is presented on sets of curves relating the cost-effective price of a ballast to the cost of electrical energy