Study on Collision Detection Techniques for the Informed Design of Natural Views in Healthcare Environments.

BACKGROUND: Natural views are an important design strategy for the application of ecological resources in built environments. Numerous clinical studies have indicated that views of nature-for example, plants-can effectively promote patient recovery by relieving their postoperative pains and negative emotions during hospitalization. AIMS: This study demonstrates an intelligent method that develops algorithms of using collision detection techniques in Building Information Modeling to evaluate outdoor plant visibility for patients. METHODS: These algorithms are digitized into a Revit plug-in program, which can be viewed as a design-aided tool for architects with the purpose of informing healthcare environment design in the decision-making process. RESULTS: Its acceptability and effectiveness are evaluated based on the consultations in beta tests. CONCLUSIONS: It is believed that this method can improve the work efficiency of evaluating natural views in wards and help architects implement an informed design of built environments for better health performance. All findings in this study can contribute to the development of computational intelligence and social sustainability in the near future.

Noise in Maternity Wards: A Research on Its Contributors and Sources.

AIMS: This research aimed to investigate the major user behavior patterns of noise sources in healthcare environments and summarize such information as evidence that can inform the design of maternity wards for indoor noise control and patients' well-being. METHODS: Field investigations were conducted to identify users' behaviors as the major contributors of noises in the maternity wards of a typical hospital. A control experiment was set to test the feasibility of a noise control system that consisted of smart bracelets, mobile terminals, and monitors. Comparative studies were designed for statistical analysis of patients' sleep quality and satisfaction. Finally, a follow-up interview was conducted among the experts who were from the fields of healthcare environment design, medical treatments, and hospital administration to shed an insight into their concerns on the findings. RESULTS: The enclosed waiting areas, instead of open ones that were often seen in hospitals, around the entrances of operation rooms, were considered as the appropriate design strategy for maternity wards in China. Such a design could keep patients from being exposed to the excessive noises generated by visitors during nighttime, although it would occupy the floor area of wards and lead to a reduction of beds. Moreover, the statistical information of patients' behaviors could be used to moderate visitors' behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: It was necessary to include user behavior information in building information management and then make a good trade-off between the proportions of wards and enclosed waiting rooms in order to achieve a balance of medical efficiency and environmental satisfaction.