Usability evaluation (IEQ survey) in hospital buildings

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A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
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Date

2017

Department

Department of Civil Engineering

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Language

en

Pages

18

Series

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Volume 10, issue 3, pp. 265-282

Abstract

Purpose - As hospital operations are undergoing major changes, comprehensive methods are needed for evaluating the indoor environment quality (IEQ) and usability of workspaces in hospital buildings. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework of the characteristics that have an impact on the usability of work environments for hospital renovations, and to use this framework to illustrate the usability evaluation process in the real environment. Design/methodology/approach - The usability of workspaces in hospital environments was evaluated in two hospitals, as an extension of the IEQ survey. The evaluation method was usability walk-through. The main aim was to determine the usability characteristics of hospital facility workspaces that support health, safety, good indoor air quality, and work flow. Findings - The facilities and workspaces were evaluated by means of four main themes: orientation, layout solution, working conditions, and spaces for patients. The most significant usability flaws were cramped spaces, noise/acoustic problems, faulty ergonomics, and insufficient ventilation. Due to rooms being cramped, all furnishing directly caused functionality and safety problems in these spaces. Originality/value - The paper proposes a framework that links different design characteristics to the usability of hospital workspaces that need renovation.

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Keywords

Environment, Hospital, Indoor air, Personnel, Usability, Workspace

Other note

DOI

10.1108/IJWHM-03-2016-0014

Citation

Aalto, L, Lappalainen, S, Salonen, H & Reijula, K 2017, ' Usability evaluation (IEQ survey) in hospital buildings ', International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 265-282 . https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-03-2016-0014

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201902251926

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[article-cris] Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu / ENG