Performance indicators of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) assessment in hospital buildings: a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) approach

The study identified and validated the key indicators of IEQ parameters of measurement in hospital buildings. Four-factor parameters of IEQ were assessed; such as thermal quality, acoustic quality, visual quality, and indoor air quality (IAQ). Three public hospitals in Nigeria were taken as the case study areas for the IEQ assessment. The results indicated that IEQ parameters are represented significantly by the indicator variables in the hypothesised constructs. Thermal quality has three (3) main indicator variables, while acoustic comfort has two (2). Visual quality also has two (2) main indicator variables with IAQ having only a single indicator variable. The validation of these IEQ parameter indicators can be the basis for periodic assessment of IEQ performance in hospital buildings.Keywords: Building performance, hospital buildings, indicators, indoor environment qualit

Patient's satisfaction of indoor environmental quality in hospital wards in Jos, Nigeria

The main purpose of a hospital building is for the provision of an environment that is appealing to users and also encourage the healing process of patients. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) parameters are viewed as one of the essential elements affecting a building occupant’s assessment of the building quality and performance. The IEQ of a hospital ward should therefore be such that it contributes to improve patients’ health and wellbeing, and patients’ satisfaction with the ward building. The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of indoor environment on patients’ satisfaction in hospital wards and on their health outcome. The study was carried out at two public hospital in Jos, Nigeria. One of the case study hospitals has ward buildings with Northeast–Southwest orientation and closed-plan configuration, while the second hospital ward buildings orientation faced the Northwest–Southeast axis, with an opened-plan design configuration. This study consists of two parts. The first part involved the field physical measurement of IEQ parameters in the context of hospital wards orientation and design configuration. The physically measured data variables consist of air temperature, relative humidity, background noise level, amount of light intensity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide concentration. The second part of this study was carried out with a survey instrument designed to evaluate patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ parameters in hospital wards. Subjective survey involving questionnaire administration to patients was conducted simultaneously alongside the physical measurement of environmental variables. A total of 268 respondents participated in the subjective measurement of the IEQ variables. The results of this study have shown that hospital ward building orientation and design configuration influenced patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ. The teaching hospital wards with open-plan configuration and Northwest–Southeast orientation have better IEQ as compared to the specialist hospital wards having close-plan configuration and Northeast–Southwest orientation. The level of patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ performance was higher at the teaching hospital. The results further revealed that IEQ parameters contribute to patient’s health outcome and overall satisfaction with the hospital wards. Based on the hospital wards orientation and design configuration, an integrative evaluation framework is proposed that will serve as a diagnostic tool to help designers and planners identify issues relating to IEQ from the patient’s perspective, and develop solutions through the design and construction processes. The integrative evaluation framework suggests weighting schemes for each IEQ parameter as it contributes to patient’s satisfaction. This study serves as feedback to architects in the design processes, and facilities managers towards achieving improvement in sustainable hospital wards design. The outcome will also influence future design of hospital wards towards promoting patient’s health and wellbeing

Patient’s satisfaction of indoor environmental quality in hospital wards in Jos Nigeria

The main purpose of a hospital building is for the provision of an environment that is appealing to users and also encourage the healing process of patients. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) parameters are viewed as one of the essential elements affecting a building occupant’s assessment of the building quality and performance. The IEQ of a hospital ward should therefore be such that it contributes to improve patients’ health and wellbeing, and patients’ satisfaction with the ward building. The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of indoor environment on patients’ satisfaction in hospital wards and on their health outcome. The study was carried out at two public hospital in Jos, Nigeria. One of the case study hospitals has ward buildings with Northeast–Southwest orientation and closed-plan configuration, while the second hospital ward buildings orientation faced the Northwest–Southeast axis, with an opened-plan design configuration. This study consists of two parts. The first part involved the field physical measurement of IEQ parameters in the context of hospital wards orientation and design configuration. The physically measured data variables consist of air temperature, relative humidity, background noise level, amount of light intensity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide concentration. The second part of this study was carried out with a survey instrument designed to evaluate patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ parameters in hospital wards. Subjective survey involving questionnaire administration to patients was conducted simultaneously alongside the physical measurement of environmental variables. A total of 268 respondents participated in the subjective measurement of the IEQ variables. The results of this study have shown that hospital ward building orientation and design configuration influenced patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ. The teaching hospital wards with open-plan configuration and Northwest–Southeast orientation have better IEQ as compared to the specialist hospital wards having close-plan configuration and Northeast–Southwest orientation. The level of patient’s satisfaction with and perception of IEQ performance was higher at the teaching hospital. The results further revealed that IEQ parameters contribute to patient’s health outcome and overall satisfaction with the hospital wards. Based on the hospital wards orientation and design configuration, an integrative evaluation framework is proposed that will serve as a diagnostic tool to help designers and planners identify issues relating to IEQ from the patient’s perspective, and develop solutions through the design and construction processes. The integrative evaluation framework suggests weighting schemes for each IEQ parameter as it contributes to patient’s satisfaction. This study serves as feedback to architects in the design processes, and facilities managers towards achieving improvement in sustainable hospital wards design. The outcome will also influence future design of hospital wards towards promoting patient’s health and wellbeing

Spatial Distribution of the Nature of Indoor Environmental Quality in Hospital Ward Buildings in Nigeria

This study seeks to ascertain the spatial distribution of IEQ in hospital wards based on the physical measurement of the hospital ward units with different architectural features. Field survey was undertaken in the medical and surgical wards units of two case study Hospitals both located in Jos, Nigeria. IEQ parameter variables were monitored and recorded, and compared against recommended international standards for hospital facilities. Results show that the measurements of the IEQ parameters conditions in the selected hospital ward buildings, differ substantially depending on the ward design configuration and orientation, and also the outdoor weather condition. The indoor environment in the hospital wards had different thermal conditions because of variations in orientations, window sizes and air inlet/outlet. Building orientation, also affected the indoor daylight quality in each of the hospital ward buildings within the period of measurements. The Teaching Hospital wards whose orientation (NW-SE) allows the fenestration façade to fall within the sun path, maximised it for daylighting within the wards. It is therefore recommended that, the design of hospital wards for improved IEQ conditions should be such that proper attention is given to the orientation, floor plan configuration and window design for natural ventilation and lighting

Empirical investigation of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance in hospital buildings in Nigeria

This study investigates and summarises the results of physical measurement of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in hospital building wards in Plateau State, Nigeria comparing two hospital settings. The results indicate that the mean indoor air temperature in the case study hospital ward buildings exceeded the range of 23-26 °C as recommended by international standards. The temperature levels in the teaching hospital ward buildings were relatively lower than what was obtained in the specialist hospital whose ward buildings lack proper ventilation. The amount of daylight requirement on an average were below 300Lux in the specialist hospital whose façade orientation and window-wall-ratio (WWR) could not allow for maximum sunlight penetration, while it was above 300Lux in the teaching hospital. However, the sound intensity level in both hospital ward buildings ranged between 52.7dBA and 71.3dBA. This study therefore recommend that, hospital building design or retrofitting should employed common strategies towards increasing ventilation and daylight with minimal energy consumption

Appraisal of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in healthcare facilities: a literature review

This study reviews the relevant literature to ascertain the extent to which IEQ performance evaluation in healthcare facilities have been carried out. The aim is to draw understanding and to identify areas that are yet to be considered or needs more attention. The performance assessment of IEQ is based on four parameters. However, these parameters of IEQ have not been validated as a measurement construct for the evaluation of IEQ performance in buildings. Combinations of subjective and objective assessment methods of IEQ is also limited in ascertaining the degree of variation or equality in their measurement of the same trait factors

Multitrait-multimethod analysis of subjective and objective methods of indoor environmental quality assessment in buildings

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the condition of a building’s internal environment that is related to the occupants’ health, comfort, and wellbeing. The assessment and improvement of IEQ in buildings are based on either subjective or objective assessment or the use of both measures, and in recent times, have been attracting attention due to its role in contributing to green building and sustainable environment. This study is aimed at evaluating and analysing the validity of the IEQ parameter traits as assessed using subjective and objective measures. The convergent and discriminant validity of the measured parameter traits were tested by analysing a multitrait–multimethod (MTMM) matrix using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results indicated that there is no convergent validity in the IEQ parameter traits as assessed using subjective and objective methods. However, discriminant validity of the measured parameter traits was adequately supported. This clearly shows that as much as IEQ parameter traits measured through objective physical measurement and subjective occupant survey define the same concept, they cannot be taken to represent a single and same unit of measurement

A field study of thermal and visual performance of self-shading energy commission diamond building, Putrajaya, Malaysia

This study investigates daylighting condition and cooling effects of a self-shading Energy Commission Diamond building in Putrajaya, Malaysia, using field measurements. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The field data were collected using a HD35ED series data logger measuring instrument with a HD35AP base unit. Findings: The results from the field measurement indicate that illuminance in the building resulting from daylighting alone are above 200 Lux. The average daylight factor is 2.7% which is within the acceptable range of indoor illuminance. From the calculations of OTTV, it is clearly shown that there is reductions of heat transfer into the Diamond building due to it incline wall facade that provide self-shading on the building. The average amount of sensible heat energy within the building is 45.8 KJ/Kg, with the west wing and the south wing indoor office spaces having a difference of about 1.5 KJ/Kg in their enthalpy. On an average, there is a total reduction of 30.6 KJ per unit volume of heat gain into the Diamond building based on the enthalpy change. Considering occupants comfort and well being in the building, the daylighting requirements and heat gain in the building are acceptable. Applications/Improvement: This result is an indication that self-shading in buildings provides efficient daylighting and cooling which in turn reduces the building energy consumption