Impact of floor plans on visibility among healthcare members in inpatient care units: Employing agent-based simulation and social network analysis

IF 3.1 1区艺术学 0 ARCHITECTURE

Frontiers of Architectural Research Pub Date : 2024-08-23 DOI:10.1016/j.foar.2024.07.007

Hao Yuan, Ying Zhou

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Healthcare collaboration is crucial for reducing medical errors and ensuring patient safety, and effective collaboration is closely linked to visibility. However, research on how floor plans affect visibility among healthcare members (VHM) in inpatient care units is still insufficient, complicating architectural design decisions. This stems from the lack of methods to assess VHM in inpatient care units, where healthcare members' movements continuously alter their relative positions and visual relationships.

This study proposes a novel method integrating agent-based simulation and social network analysis to assess VHM. The method first collects behavioral data from healthcare members to execute agent-based simulation. Subsequently, the simulated positions of healthcare members are used to construct visibility networks. Finally, social network analysis is applied to evaluate the VHM.

The findings indicate: (1) the “multi-ring + branching” corridor shape exhibits the highest visibility; (2) shared staff stations improve visibility across different healthcare professionals; (3) spatial relationships between nurse stations and assigned patient rooms affect visibility disparities; (4) mobile nursing stations and interconnected support areas enhance visual communication across disparate zones.

This research provides the first quantitative analysis of floor plan effects on VHM. The proposed method offers broad applicability for enhancing visibility assessment, improving healthcare collaboration and reducing medical errors.

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来源期刊

Frontiers of Architectural Research ARCHITECTURE-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

2.90%

发文量

430

审稿时长

30 weeks

期刊介绍： Frontiers of Architectural Research is an international journal that publishes original research papers, review articles, and case studies to promote rapid communication and exchange among scholars, architects, and engineers. This journal introduces and reviews significant and pioneering achievements in the field of architecture research. Subject areas include the primary branches of architecture, such as architectural design and theory, architectural science and technology, urban planning, landscaping architecture, existing building renovation, and architectural heritage conservation. The journal encourages studies based on a rigorous scientific approach and state-of-the-art technology. All published papers reflect original research works and basic theories, models, computing, and design in architecture. High-quality papers addressing the social aspects of architecture are also welcome. This journal is strictly peer-reviewed and accepts only original manuscripts submitted in English.