Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Published:

Reinforcing the essential role of families through first impressions of the physical environment

Journal of Perinatology volume 40, pages 11–15 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The physical environment in all of its aspects of space, structure, millwork, furniture, materials, flow, signage, and art has great potential to set a positive tone and invitation for families to be partners in the care of their infants. This article describes design strategies that create a series of positive welcoming first impressions throughout a NICU to support family caregiving and participation as parents of their infant and essential members of the care team.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lawton M, Nahemow L. Ecology and the aging process. In: Eidorfer C, Lawton M, editors. The psychology of adult development and aging. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 1973. p. 619–74.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. Bosch SJ, Lorusso LN. Promoting patient and family engagement through healthcare facility design: A systematic literature review. J Environ Psychol. 2019;62:74–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ulrich R. Effects of interior design on wellness: theory and recent scientific research. J Health Care Inter Des. 1991;3:97–109.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Knudson J. First impressions: New design solutions for healthcare lobbies and waiting areas aim to improve the patient experience right from the start. Healthc Des. 2017;17:36–7.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Carpman JR, Grant MA. Design that cares: planning health facilities for patients and visitors, 3rd Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Griffin T, Celenza J. Family-centered care for the newborn: the delivery room and beyond. New York: Springer Publishing Company; 2014.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  7. Miles MS, Funk SG, Kasper MA. The stress response of mothers and fathers of preterm infants. Res Nurs Health. 1992;15:261–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Malkin J. A visual reference for evidence-based design. Concord, CA: The Center for Health Design; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hathorn K, Nanda U. A Guide to Evidence-based Art. Concord, CA: The Center for Health Design; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ulrich RS, Gilpin L. Healing arts: nutrition for the soul. In: Frampton SB, Gilpin L, Charmel PA, editors. Putting patients first: designing and practicing patient-centered care. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons; 2003. p. 117–46.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This article is published as part of a supplement sponsored by Philips.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Patient- and Family-Centered Care, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Beverley H. Johnson & Marie R. Abraham

Authors
  1. Beverley H. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marie R. Abraham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beverley H. Johnson.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Johnson, B.H., Abraham, M.R. Reinforcing the essential role of families through first impressions of the physical environment. J Perinatol 40 (Suppl 1), 11–15 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0747-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0747-5

Search

Advanced search

Quick links