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Gola M, Johnson AA, La Milia DI, Cadeddu C, Bardini F, Bianconi B, Bisceglia R, Pumpo MD, Genovese C, Grieco A, Piras G, Guerra R, Damiani G, Favaretti C, Montagna MT, Capolongo S, Ricciardi W. Rethinking the Healthcare Facilities: The Role of the Buffer Space. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2024; 17:24-37. [PMID: 38259242 DOI: 10.1177/19375867231222563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A working group conducted a survey on the use of the principle of buffer space (BS), which in case of emergencies, could benefit healthcare settings. The aim of the preliminary investigation is to define new research lines in hospitals' functional design. BACKGROUND The global experience of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted challenges faced by hospitals when responding promptly to emergencies, including spatial reorganization and suspension of ordinary medical activities for ensuring adequate management of the emergency surge of patients. METHODS The group designed questionnaires to be administered to healthcare staff and healthcare designers aimed at understanding varied conceptions and features of BSs. Content across the two surveys overlapped significantly, allowing for direct comparisons of responses, while also including tailored questions in relation to the respective experience and skills of the two groups of respondents. RESULTS 102 healthcare professionals and 56 designers took part to the survey. Analysis of the responses permitted for initial recommendations regarding BS typology including (a) proximity to the emergency department (ED), intensive care units (ICUs), and inpatient wards (IWs); (b) location within hospitals but separate from other medical areas; (c) need for independent access; (d) organizational and spatial features similar to ED, ICUs, and IWs; (e) existing as a fully flexible operational space; and (f) BS bed capacity to be approximately 12% of ED beds. CONCLUSIONS Although the analysis is related to the Italian context, the expansion of this preliminary research to alternate healthcare facilities and geographic areas is necessary for reaching a wide consensus by different professionals on this field. It serves as a starting point for future investigations regarding the implementation of BS in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gola
- Design & Health Lab, Department of Architecture, Built environment and Construction engineering (DABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Ignazio La Milia
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies ISMETT (IRCCS), Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Cadeddu
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Bardini
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Bianconi
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Azienda Usl Toscana Sud-Est, Arezzo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Bisceglia
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marcello Di Pumpo
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Azienda ULSS6 Euganea, Regione Veneto, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristina Genovese
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Postgraduate Medical School of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Albino Grieco
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piras
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Asl n. 7 Sulcis, Carbonia SU, Italy
| | - Rocco Guerra
- ASL Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Damiani
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Favaretti
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Centre on Leadership in Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Capolongo
- Design & Health Lab, Department of Architecture, Built environment and Construction engineering (DABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Walter Ricciardi
- Post graduate course "Hospital Healthcare Management" (II ed.), Advanced School of Economics and Management of Health Systems (ALTEMS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Casagranda I, Gola M, Bellone A, Coen D, Brambilla A, Guiddo G, Paolillo C, Lerza R, Capolongo S, Boeri S. Challenges of the next generation hospitals: Rethinking the Emergency Department. EMERGENCY CARE JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.4081/ecj.2022.10840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID 19 outbreak dramatically highlighted the inadequacy of the Emergency Department (ED) settings in dealing with events that can acutely affect a wide range of population. The immediate urgency to create strictly distinct pathways became also a strategic aspect for reducing possible sources of contagion inside the hospital.1 This need has often clashed with inadequate structural conditions of the hospital: in fact, the rigidity of many EDs is due to the hospital typology and its localization (affected by functional program);2,3 and it prevents them from being quickly adapted to new needs in the case of maxi-emergencies.4 In several recent international projects, the presence of a multifunctional space and/or a buffer area guarantees different scenarios in relation to the healthcare/emergency needs.5 [...]
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Iqbal SA, Abubakar IR. Hospital Outdoor Spaces as Respite Areas for Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2022; 15:343-353. [PMID: 35831995 DOI: 10.1177/19375867221111530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created considerable implications for healthcare staff around the globe. During the pandemic, the frontline healthcare workers experience intense anxiety, stress, burnout, and psychological breakdown, with severe implications on their mental and physical well-being. In addition to these implications, anxiety and stress can hinder their productivity and ability to perform their duties efficiently. The literature indicates that hospital gardens and contact with nature can help alleviate psychological distress among hospital staff. However, few studies investigated the role of outdoor spaces as areas for respite and work breaks in healthcare facilities during the pandemic. The present opinion paper highlights the challenges of job stress and psychological distress health workers face during the pandemic. This article also underscores the role of hospital outdoor spaces and garden facilities in coping with the challenges. While other measures to reduce stress among hospital staff and ensure their health and safety are important, hospital administrators and relevant government agencies should also emphasize the provision of gardens and open spaces in healthcare facilities. These spaces can act as potential areas for respite for hospital staff to help them cope with the stress and anxiety accumulated through working under crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Arslan Iqbal
- Department of Educational Policy Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ismaila Rimi Abubakar
- College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Formerly, University of Dammam), Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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