Recent Publications
Developing Evidence‐based Tools for Designing and Evaluating Hospital Inpatient Rooms
By Xiaobo Quan, PhD (now director of the CHRD); Anjali Joseph, PhD; Upali Nanda, PhD
First published: January 18, 2017
(This 2017 article received the 2018 Journal of Interior Design Excellence in Scholarship Award at the Interior Design Educators Council annual conference.)
A growing body of research shows that hospital inpatient room design greatly impacts health care outcomes, although research is often difficult for designers to understand and apply in decision making and postoccupancy evaluation (POE). The purpose of this study was to create evidence‐based design checklists and POE tools for medical‐surgical, intensive care, and maternity care patient rooms. Extensive literature reviews and focus groups with industry experts resulted in a set of design checklists and evaluation tools, including design considerations and features organized around 23 design goals. The tools were optimized after testing at multiple design firms and hospitals through questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions. The final product is an evidence‐based toolkit with a series of features to increase usability. Testing results not only confirmed its validity and reliability, but also provided valuable lessons for further improvement. By facilitating the use of research evidence, the tools may contribute to improvements in the process of designing and evaluating health care facilities.
Designing for invisible injuries: An exploration of healing environments for posttraumatic stress (2016)
By Valerie Greer, Sam Fox School, Washington University, and Emily N. Johnson, research assistant and MSAAD candidate, Sam Fox School, Washington University.
AIA Academy Journal
The US Department of Veterans Affairs reports that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads health care concerns among veterans, a population that shares specialized backgrounds and health risks (Morris, 2015). This paper examines the potential of design and the healing environment to positively contribute to the experiences of veterans working to recover from combat PTSD. Examining challenges in the physical, social, and ambient environment through veterans’ perspectives, a design studio at Washington University in St. Louis developed a series of proposals that combined outpatient therapy with a residential-based resource center. The design exploration reveals elements in the built and natural environment that uniquely resonate with veterans’ experiences and play a significant role in the approach to creating spaces for behavioral health treatment.
Evolution of the Patient Room | BJC HealthCare (2016)
By Emily N. Johnson, MSAAD candidate, Sam Fox School, Washington University
Advised by Valerie Greer, Sam Fox School, Washington University
An independent study to trace the development of design standards for patient rooms in hospitals, and to take a multidisciplinary approach in considering the evolution of the next generation of patient rooms. (full report available soon)
Previous Publications
A Quantitative Sustainability Assessment: Effectiveness of Green-Blue Infrastructure in a Shrinking City (2014)
By Catalina Freixas, Sam Fox School, Washington University; Pablo I. Moyano Fernandez, Sam Fox School, Washington University; Aaron Hipp, Brown School, Washington University
Paper for 12th International Conference on Urban History in Lisbon, Portugal
Shrinking cities are not an anomaly; rather, they are an integral stage in urban evolution. This endemic condition affects post-industrial cities, resulting in a decline in population, economy, and infrastructure. In response, eco-urbanists have encouraged a shift in planning goals, from population and economic growth to an increase in the quality of life for current residents via ecological sustainability. In St. Louis, a shift toward an ecological approach manifests through the implementation of eco-urbanism strategies such as community gardens, rain gardens, butterfly gardens, greenways, and urban forests (blue-green infrastructure). Washington University’s Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Office… Full abstract
Making cancer surveillance data more accessible for the public through Dataspark (2013)
By Heather Corcoran, Sam Fox School, Washington University; Matthew Kreuter, Brown School, Washington University; Christina Clarke, Cancer Prevention Institute of California
Published in Visible Language
This paper describes findings from an experiment to determine whether visual design could enhance the effectiveness of the presentation of cancer surveillance data online. The research team included designers who created an interface called Dataspark (DS) for California citizens to see incidence rates for colorectal cancer in the state. The design of the display used principles of relative scale, color, shape, and arrangement. In a randomized experiment, this interface was compared to two displays that are hosted by established cancer organizations but do not use principles of scale, color, shape, and arrangement in the same way. Approximately 550… Full abstract
Page Avenue health impact assessment: Building on diverse partnerships and evidence to promote a healthy community (2012)
By Christine M. Hoehner, School of Medicine, Washington University; Jodi Rios, Sam Fox School, Washington University; Cristina Garmendia, School of Medicine, Washington University; Sabrina Baldwin, Beyond Housing; Cheryl M. Kelly, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University; Donna-Mae Knights, Brown School, Washington University; Carolyn Lesorogol, Brown School, Washington University; Gena Gunn McClendon, Brown School, Washington University; Mark Tranel, Public Policy Research Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Published in Active Living Research
The Page Avenue health impact assessment (HIA) focused on a redevelopment in Missouri. This case study describes a comprehensive HIA led by an interdisciplinary academic team with community partners, as well as compliance with North American HIA Practice Standards. Some of the key lessons learned included: (1) interdisciplinary teams are valuable, but they require flexibility and organization; (2) engaging community stakeholders and decision-makers prior to, during, and following the HIA is critical to a successful HIA; and (3) HIA teams should not be too closely affiliated with decision-makers. It is hoped that this case study will inform future HIAs. Full abstract