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Does hospital design impact on patient activity levels and time spent alone?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Does hospital design impact on patient activity levels and time spent alone?

Ingrid C M Rosbergen, I Tonello, Ross A Clark and Rohan S Grimley
Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol.44(13), pp.3173-3180
2022
PMID: 33336598
url
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1861117View
Published Version

Abstract

orthopaedic Environment rehabilitation hospital design and construction stroke physical activity
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to quantify changes in patients’ activity levels, location and people present, within one acute stroke unit (ASU) and one inpatient rehabilitation unit (IRU) with respect to change in hospital design. METHODS: A prospective observational study using behavioural mapping. We observed participants from 8 am till 5 pm every 10 minutes across two days and compared participant activity (physical, social and cognitive), location and people present pre and post-transition to new units. Built design, staffing levels and models of care were contrasted. RESULTS: We recruited 73 participants (63% stroke): old-ASU (n = 19); new-ASU (n = 15); old-IRU (n = 19); new-IRU (n = 20). Compared to old, new units had more single rooms, larger floor spaces and higher staffing levels. We found no significant change in participants’ activity levels between the old and new ASU. Participants in the new IRU showed increased physical activity (43.4% vs. 54.4%, p = 0.02) but social and cognitive activity remained similar. Participants were more alone (ASU 47.4% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.01; IRU 41.7% vs. 58.3%, p < 0.001), and less often with nursing staff (ASU 17.7% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.04; IRU 18.8% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001) in new units. CONCLUSION: Hospital design appears to impact on patients’ physical activity. Single rooms may increase isolation and reduce interaction with nursing staff.

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Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas
Rehabilitation

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

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