Work

The physical environment and patients’ activities and care: A comparative case study at three newly built stroke units

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: To explore and compare the impact of the physical environment on patients' activities and care at three newly built stroke units. BACKGROUND: Receiving care in a stroke unit instead of in a general ward reduces the odds of death, dependency and institutionalized care. In stroke units, the design of the physical environment should support evidence-based care. Studies on patients' activities in relation to the design of the physical environment of stroke units are scarce. DESIGN: This work is a comparative descriptive case study. METHOD: Patients (N = 55) who had a confirmed diagnosis of stroke were recruited from three newly built stroke units in Sweden. The units were examined by non-participant observation using two types of data collection: behavioural mapping analysed with descriptive statistics and field note taking analysed with deductive content analysis. Data were collected from April 2013 - December 2015. RESULTS: The units differed in the patients' levels of physical activity, the proportion of the day that patients spent with health professionals and family presence. Patients were more physically active in a unit with a combination of single and multi-bed room designs than in a unit with an entirely single-room design. Stroke units that were easy to navigate and offered variations in the physical environment had an impact on patients' activities and care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' activity levels and interactions appeared to vary with the design of the physical environments of stroke units. Stroke guidelines focused on health status assessments, avoidance of bed-rest and early rehabilitation require a supportive physical environment.

Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing

DOI: 10.1111/jan.13690

Authors: Anna Anåker, Lena von Koch, Christina Sjöstrand, Ann Heylighen, Marie Elf

Institutions: Dalarna University, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, KU Leuven, Chalmers University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Facilities Design and Sustainability

Subfield: Urban Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,718