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Color and newborn intensive care unit design: executive summary

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 45–48 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Research on color in the design of healthcare settings is minimal. This paper provides an executive summary of a recent review on this topic, focusing on application to newborn intensive care units. The review focuses on the following question: Does the use of color in the design of the newborn intensive care units impact health outcomes in infants, families, and/or staff? We employed a structured review process, resulting in four studies involving the use of color in NICUs. The search was expanded to include general research on responses to color and studies in other healthcare settings. The literature clustered around preferences and psychobiological impact of color on infants and adults in NICUs, the interaction of color and light, and the impact of color on adults in general medical settings. Recommendations are made regarding the importance of modifiability and flexibility in the use of color in NICUs and colors that are associated with stress reduction and stimulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Mardelle McCuskey Shepley, Rebecca L. Ames & Connie Y. Lin

Authors
  1. Mardelle McCuskey Shepley
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  2. Rebecca L. Ames
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  3. Connie Y. Lin
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Contributions

MS conceived the project, and wrote and edited the majority of the paper. RA participated in gathering of the literature, contributed a portion of the text and helped to edit the document. CL participated in gathering the literature, contributed a portion of the text and creation of tables.

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Correspondence to Mardelle McCuskey Shepley.

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Shepley, M.M., Ames, R.L. & Lin, C.Y. Color and newborn intensive care unit design: executive summary. J Perinatol 43 (Suppl 1), 45–48 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01707-3

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