[The environmental characteristics of patients' rooms and their interactions with the lifting of patients].
The Law (Presidential Decree) of 14/1/97 requested the regions of Italy to define and develop procedures for the accreditation of their health facilities. Since accreditation promotes the quality of the system, the support of ergonomics can be fundamental. Ergonomics, whose quality objective is harmony of the environment-man-object relationship, is in a position to make a major contribution to the complete application of the procedures for quality certification (ISO regulation 9000) and of the regulations regarding mandatory safety regulations (Law 626/94). The present paper analyzes the tasks of health workers vis-a-vis patients, highlighting the improvement or worsening effect of environmental features which not only have a direct effect on movements and general activity but also have an indirect effect on psychological and behavioural conditions. The first requirement that should be taken into consideration in environments that are also used by patients is that everything that can facilitate or make their walking and access to facilities self-sufficient will certainly make the healthcare workers' tasks easier, which can then be limited to lifting required for treatment and washing. The ward, especially, is an area that is extremely important from the point of view of design because it is where the patient does practically everything and where the staff, too, are mainly engaged in hygiene/treatment tasks, involving both patients and their relatives. The bed must be able to be easily used by potentially disabled patients who have difficulty in walking and moving. The beds should therefore be equipped with or have close by handles and rails that assist the patient to lie down, get up and move from the bed; the bed should also have a manual or electrical device to adjust the height (from 40 to 70 cm) and have four wheels (that can each be blocked) to make it easier to move. The supporting legs should occupy as little space as possible and should not interfere with wheelchairs or other walking aids or with the movements of the staff. The head and foot-boards should have parts that can be used as grips. The space between both sides of the beds should be at least 90 cm and the space between headboard and wall 120 cm; bedside tables should be no deeper than 30 cm and be fitted with wheels. On the question of space distribution design, another important requirement is flexibility. Adequate flexibility of space distribution together with adaptable technological systems mean that the spaces and equipment of the ward can be easily adapted to the great variety of needs.
Baglioni
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DI.Tec., Politeclinco di Milano.
D004780:Environment, Controlled; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D007558:Italy; D017770:Lifting; D008029:Lighting / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors
Caratteristiche ambientali del reparto di degenza e loro interazioni con la movimentazione del paziente.