Effects of furniture rearrangement on the atmosphere of wards in a maximum-security hospital.
In a study of the effects of a short-term environmental intervention, alterations were made in furniture arrangements in ward dayrooms in a maximum-security hospital in the United Kingdom. Over two 14-day periods, group seating patterns were introduced each day, in conjunction with leisure-time resources such as cards and games, to promote improvements in the wards' psychosocial atmosphere. The program was implemented through a system of behavioral contracting with ward staff. The findings suggest that the use of such simple low-cost techniques can produce modest positive changes in different kinds of ward environments.
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004739:England; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006757:Hospital Units; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation