Download 1 Table: Study Descriptions and Findings: Lighting and Medication

1
Table: Study Descriptions and Findings: Lighting and Medication Administration
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
Anshel JR (7).
Review of visual function and its role in
-Increased task complexity increases the need for
workplace productivity
light.
-Increased computer and “near work” can result in
physical symptoms if lighting does not fit the task.
-Computer work requires less ambient lighting
than reading from paper.
Chaudhury H, Mahmood A
Review of literature to understand the impact
-Inappropriate lighting (too much or too little) can
(20).
of environmental factors on nursing
impede visual task performance.
efficiency, errors, and other outcomes.
-Bright lights improve patient outcomes.
-Natural light exposure results in improved health
for patient and staff.
Chaudhury H, Mahmood A,
A review of the research on environmental
-Higher lighting levels result in fewer errors.
Valente M (9).
factors that contribute to staff fatigue, stress,
-Exposure to daylight has positive effects on
burnout, and potential errors
patients and staff.
2
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
Dunn H, Anderson MA, Hill
Observational, descriptive study designed to
.Artificial light conditions occurred at the
PD (35).
measure the total time ICU patients are
beginning and end of shifts.
exposed to night time artificial lighting, the
-There was some evidence that light use by nurses
sources of that light and the activities
was individualized.
occurring when artificial lighting is present,
n= 21 (3 rooms over 7 nights)
Grissinger M (33).
Editorial
-Recommendations include: fluorescent cool white
lamps; adjustable task lighting with positioning to
limit glare on computer screens; routine cleaning
of light fixtures; availability of magnifying lenses;
and routine luminance measurement in areas
where medications are stored, prepared, and
administered.
Grissinger M (34).
Editorial
-Calls for awareness of the impact of the physical
environment on the medication use process,
3
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
including low lighting levels.
Henriksen K, Isaacson S,
Review of evidence based design
-Visual task performance is impacted by lighting,
Sadler BL, Zimring CM (2).
recommendations for the environment of
the size and quality of the visual element,
care to improve quality and safety
background contrast.
-Visual performance decreases with age due to
physiologic changes
-People demonstrate a preference for controlling
the source and amount of lighting for different
tasks.
Joseph A, Rashid M (31).
Review of recent research on the impact of
-Performance of visual tasks improves at increased
hospital design on patient safety
light levels.
-Seasonal variations in medication errors have
been documented.
Joseph A. (21).
Review to identify the impact of light on
-Task performance is impacted by the task as well
human health, performance, and health
as the amount, color, and distribution of light.
4
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
outcomes in the healthcare setting.
-The need for light increases with age.
Inadequate light can lead to stress and the
potential for errors.
Joseph, A (19).
Review of literature regarding the physical
-Task performance improves with increased light
and organizational environment and its
levels.
impact on the healthcare team, effectiveness
of care, and patient/practitioner satisfaction
Kamali NJ, Abbas MY (36).
Mixed methods pilot to evaluate the impact
-Nurses over age 40 reported the need for
of lighting on nurses’ performance of tasks,
increased lighting.
n=120
Mahmood A, Chaudhury H,
Review of research on effects of physical
-Lighting levels and the type of lighting can
Gaumont A (31).
and organizational environment in long term
impact the frequency of medication errors.
care settings on medication and nursing
-Natural light can reduce staff stress and fatigue
errors
and potentially decrease errors.
Mixed methods review of research on effects
-Staffing, organizational, social, and physical
Mahmood A, Chaudhury H,
5
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
Gaumont A, Rust T (38).
of physical and organizational environment
issues, including lighting, contributed to
in on medication and nursing errors,
medication errors.
including focus groups, observations and a
staff survey, n=54 from 4 long-term facilities
Mahmood A, Chaudhury H,
Survey of nurses’ perceptions of the impact
-Lighting was identified as problematic by 5%
Valente M (37).
of the physical environment on medication
participants.
errors, n= 84
Schulmeister L (32).
Editorial
-Use of magnifying lenses and adequate lighting
throughout the medication process is encouraged.
Simmons D, Graves K, Flynn
A review of USP guidelines for the physical
-Poor lighting design can negatively impact visual
EA (11)
environment to promote safe medication use
performance and visual comfort of workers.
-Presbyopia affects the vast majority of the
population by age 65.
-Perceptions of color can change in different
lighting environments, so color coding should not
6
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
be the single distinguishing factor
Sitzman KL, Leiss JK (39).
Survey mailed to registered nurses working
-Nurses reported “usually” or “always”
in home care or hospice measuring
encountering poor lighting in homes 30% of the
environmental hazards that increase the
time.
potential for occupational blood exposure.
n=833
Ulrich RS, Zimring C, Zhu X,
Review of research on evidence-based
-Visual inspection performance declines at lower
et al. (12).
design and implications for improved design
lighting levels.
United States Pharmacopeial
Describes the optimal physical environment
-Prescription filling accuracy is positively
Convention (15).
characteristics to promote accurate
impacted by increased lighting.
medication use
-Light needs increase with visual fatigue
-Lighting requirements vary with the visual task
and with the age of the worker.
-Lighting levels should be measured routinely to
verify that aging fixtures are producing adequate
7
Article (Citation)
Study description
Findings
light levels.
Varadarajan R (40).
Direct observation of 7 nurses over 45 days
-Increased lighting decreased medication error
in a long term care facility in three different
rates in a long term care setting.
lighting conditions (baseline, 100, and 145
foot candles)
Wolf ZR, Hicks R, Serembus
Secondary analysis of reported medication
-Poor lighting contributed to three reported
JF (41).
errors attributed to student nurses, n=1,305
medication errors.