A ROOM DESIGNED FOR CARING

Elektronisk version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-23183 ISBN 978-91-88838-74-2 (tryckt)

ISBN 978-91-88838-75-9 (pdf)

ISSN 0280-381X, Skrifter från Högskolan i Borås, nr. 106

D O C TO R A L TH ESI S Fr ed rik a S un db erg A R O O M D E SI G N ED F O R C A R IN G – EX PER IE NCE S F ROM A N E VID EN CE -B A SE D D E SI G N ED I N TE N SI VE C A R E E N VIR O N M EN T

Healthcare environment is a crucial aspect of delivering good care and providing a healthy work environment. In 2010, a refurbished patient room was constructed in an eight-bed intensive care unit (ICU). This multifaceted intervention was intended to improve the health and wellbeing of critically ill patients. The components that were implemented were a circadian light system, sound absorbents, access to nature and organic textiles and furniture. The room was refurbished according to the principles of evidence-based design (EBD), which aims to create healing healthcare facilities. This dissertation focuses on examining and evaluating if and how an intensive care unit (ICU) room, which had been designed using the principles of EBD, impacts the safety, wellbeing and caring for patients, their family members and staff. Four studies were conducted using various methodologies to answer the aim and the research questions.

A ROOM DESIGNED

FOR CARING

Fredrika Sundberg

Experiences from an evidence-based

designed intensive care environment

FREDRIKA SUNDBERG is a registered nurse and a critical care nurse (CCRN), having special education within intensive care. She has experience within different parts of healthcare, mainly multidisciplinary intensive care and surgical emergency care as well as postoperative care. Since 2015, Fredrika has worked as a lecturer at the Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare at University of Borås, while being enrolled as a doctoral student, pursuing research studies at the Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare at University of Borås.