• myGriffith
    • Staff portal
    • Contact Us⌄
      • Future student enquiries 1800 677 728
      • Current student enquiries 1800 154 055
      • International enquiries +61 7 3735 6425
      • General enquiries 07 3735 7111
      • Online enquiries
      • Staff phonebook
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Griffith Research Online
    • Journal articles
    • View Item
    • Home
    • Griffith Research Online
    • Journal articles
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

  • All of Griffith Research Online
    • Communities & Collections
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • This Collection
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • Statistics

  • Most Popular Items
  • Statistics by Country
  • Most Popular Authors
  • Support

  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Admin login

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

    Author(s)
    Rosbergen, ICM
    Tonello, I
    Clark, RA
    Grimley, RS
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Grimley, Rohan
    Year published
    2020
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    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% ...
    View more >
    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.Implications for rehabilitation Design of new rehabilitation units needs to consider patients’ social engagement with family, friends, other patients and staff in addition to privacy and infection control. A change in built design of rehabilitation units should prompt observation of patients’ activity levels and engagement with people and available space to ensure optimal use of new environments. Promotion of communal spaces and activities away from the bedroom to encourage social engagement is recommended for patients recovering in rehabilitation facilities. Less time in contact with nursing staff in rehabilitation environments with predominantly single rooms suggests a review of clinical practice and patient safety is warranted.
    View less >
    Journal Title
    Disability and Rehabilitation
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1861117
    Note
    This publication has been entered as an advanced online version in Griffith Research Online.
    Subject
    Biomedical and clinical sciences
    Health services and systems
    Public health
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/400692
    Collection
    • Journal articles

    Footer

    Disclaimer

    • Privacy policy
    • Copyright matters
    • CRICOS Provider - 00233E
    • TEQSA: PRV12076

    Tagline

    • Gold Coast
    • Logan
    • Brisbane - Queensland, Australia
    First Peoples of Australia
    • Aboriginal
    • Torres Strait Islander