Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

There is a growing focus on enhancing energy efficiency in healthcare facilities, many of which are decades old. Since replacement of all aging healthcare facilities is not economically feasible, the retrofitting of these facilities is an appropriate path, which also provides an opportunity to incorporate energy efficiency measures. In undertaking energy efficiency retrofits, it is vital that the safety of the patients in these facilities is maintained or enhanced. However, the interactions between patient safety and energy efficiency have not been adequately addressed to realize the full benefits of retrofitting healthcare facilities. To address this, an innovative integrated framework, the Patient Safety and Energy Efficiency (PATSiE) framework, was developed to simultaneously enhance patient safety and energy efficiency. The framework includes a step-by-step procedure for enhancing both patient safety and energy efficiency. It provides a structured overview of the different stages involved in retrofitting healthcare facilities and improves understanding of the intricacies associated with integrating patient safety improvements with energy efficiency enhancements. Evaluation of the PATSiE framework was conducted through focus groups with the key stakeholders in two case study healthcare facilities. The feedback from these stakeholders was generally positive, as they considered the framework useful and applicable to retrofit projects in the healthcare industry.

Keywords

patient safety energy efficiency healthcare facilities retrofit project PATSiE framework

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide. (2013). Practical ways to improve energy performance, healthcare facilities. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Retrieved March 2016 from http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/pdfs/doe_eere_aerg_healthcare_facilities.pdf

Ahmed

T. M.

Rajagopalan

Fuller

(2015). A classification of healthcare facilities toward the development of energy performance benchmarks for day surgery centers in Australia. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design, 8, 139–157.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. (2000). Standard 52.2-1999, Method of testing general ventilation air-cleaning devices for removal efficiency by particle size. Atlanta, GA: Author.

Beggs

C. B.

Kerr

K. G.

Noakes

C. J.

Hathway

E. A.

Sleigh

P. A.

(2008). The ventilation of multiple-bed hospital wards: Review and analysis. American Journal of Infection Control, 36, 250–259.

Carpenter

Hoppszallern

(2010). Hospital building report: Lean year expected for hospital construction. Health Facilities Management, 11–18. Retrieved from http://www.hfmmagazine.com/display/HFM-news-article.dhtml?dcrPath=/templatedata/HF_Common/NewsArticle/data/HFM/Magazine/2010/Feb/1002HFM_FEA_CoverStory

Carthey

Chow

Jung

Y. M.

Mills

(2011). Flexibility: Beyond the buzzword—Practical findings from a systematic literature review. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design, 4, 89–108.

First

M. W.

Nardell

E. A.

Chaisson

Riley

(1999). Guidelines for the application of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for preventing transmission of airborne contagion-Part I: Basic principles. Transactions-American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, 105, 869–876.

Guity

Gulick

Marmion

(2009). Healthcare ventilation research collaborative: Displacement ventilation research. Phase II Summary Report. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from https://noharm-uscanada.org/sites/default/files/documents-files/44/Healthcare_Ventilation.pdf

Heidarinejad

Srebric

(2013). Computational fluid dynamics modelling of UR-UVGI lamp effectiveness to promote disinfection of airborne microorganisms. World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 10, 78–95.

10.

Hua

Becker

Wurmser

Bliss-Holtz

Hedges

(2012). Effects of nursing unit spatial layout on nursing team communication patterns, quality of care, and patient safety. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design, 6, 8–38.

11.

Infection Control Risk Assessment, PREMIER. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from http://www.premierinc.com/safety/topics/construction/

12.

Kowalski

W. J.

(2005). Aerobiological engineering handbook: Airborne disease and control technologies. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Professional.

13.

Kowalski

W. J.

Bahnfleth

W. P.

Whittam

T. S.

(1999). Filtration of airborne microorganisms: Modeling and prediction. ASHRAE Transactions, 105, 4–17.

14.

McNeill

Zhai

(2013). Critical review on hospital surgical room and mechanical system designs. World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 10, 5–16.

15.

Memarzadeh

(2011). The environment of care and health care associated infections–An engineering perspective. Chicago, IL: American Society of Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association.

16.

Mohammadpour

Anumba

Bulbul

Messner

(2012). Facilities management interaction with healthcare delivery process. Construction Research Congress, 728–736. Retrieved from http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784412329.074

17.

Mohammadpour

(2014). Retrofitting healthcare facilities to enhance patient safety and energy efficiency (Doctoral Dissertation). Department of Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA. Reterived from http://gradworks.umi.com/36/47/3647489.html

18.

Noakes

C. J.

Sleigh

P. A.

Fletcher

L. A.

Beggs

C. B.

(2006). Use of CFD modelling to optimise the design of upper-room UVGI disinfection systems for ventilated rooms. Indoor and Built Environment, 15, 347–356.

19.

Plunkett Research, Ltd. (2011). Introduction to the health care industry. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from https://www.plunkettresearch.com/health%20care%20medical%20market%20research/industry%20overview

20.

Suttell

(2007). Evidence-based design shapes healthcare facilities. Buildings. Retrieved July 9, 2015, from http://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/3535/title/evidencebased-design-shapes-healthcare-facilities.aspx

21.

The American Institute of Architects. (2006). Guidelines for design and construction of health care facilities. Washington DC: American Institute of Architects.

22.

Zimring

Denham

M. E.

Jacob

J. T.

Kamerow

D. B.

Lenfestey

Hall

K. K.

Steinberg

J. P.

(2013). The role of facility design in preventing healthcare-associated infection: Interventions, conclusions, and research needs. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design, 7, 127–139.