Environmental Safety and Quality Risks

Environmental Safety and Quality Risks

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chari, S. R., Smith, S., Mudge, A., Black, A. A., Figueiro, M., Ahmed, M., . . . Haines, T. P. (2016). Feasibility of a stepped wedge cluster RCT and concurrent observational sub-study to evaluate the effects of modified ward night lighting on inpatient fall rates and sleep quality: A protocol for a pilot trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-015-0043-x

Inadequate lighting at night in geropsychiatric wards is one of the important causes of falls in geropsychiatric units. Psychotropic medications can cause cognitive impairments and blurring of vision, which can be aggravated by dim lighting in the units. The article presents a trial pilot study conducted to evaluate the effects of the use of modified night lighting in inpatient wards to prevent falls. LED lights were installed in the vicinity of the beds and the toilets, where falls were likely to occur.

The study provides valuable insights that could inform design and refurbishment efforts at geropsychiatric units. An important limitation of the study is that a stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial has not yet been applied to test environmental modifications in any setting. However, the modifications discussed could still be implemented as an important intervention strategy for preventing falls in older adults with cognitive impairment.

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