Environmental Factor and Nightingale’s Theory †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Environmental Factor and Nightingales Theory. Answer: Environment is the most widely talked about aspect in Nightingales theory. Environmental factors discussed in Nightingales theory include clean air and ventilation, warmth, noise, light, architecture, and cleanliness (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingale (1860) emphasized mostly on the fact that without clean, pure, warm air, a patient will probably never get better. She emphasizes that if the nurse could only do one thing, she or he should forget everything else and KEEP THE AIR HE [the patient] Breathes As Pure As The External Air, Without Chilling Him (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingale (1860) also expounds upon the idea that Unnecessary noise, or noise that creates an expectation in the mind, is that which hurts a patient. This noise could be construction workers outside, or a whispering conversation between a nurse and a doctor (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingale describes light as a key component of life. She illustrates that if you put a withering plant or human being in the sun, and they are not too far gone, they will revive (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingale (1860) even eludes to the fact that bad architecture can make it hard to the nurse. She also justifies that a clean room, bed, and clothing is imperative for the recovery of the patient (Nightingale, 1860). Nursing is addressed in Nightingales theory in that she states that nurses must put the patient in the best condition for nature to act upon him (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingales theory still applies to nursing today . In hospitals today, there is usually a window in the room to let sunlight in. Natural sunlight may decrease the amount of stress, anxiety, and perception of pain felt by patients, it may even go as far as decreasing the amount of time in hospitals (Joseph, 2006, p. 5-6). In addition to this, cleanliness is of utmost importance. In hospitals today, every room is thoroughly cleaned and bed sheets are removed and replaced with clean ones before the next patient is brought in. Without this thorough cleaning, patients may develop HAIs more frequently (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2014, p. 1). Adequate ventilation is also important to help the patients recovery. Several studies have shown that adequate ventilation reduces the number of signs and symptoms of diseases caused by certain airborne disease causing organisms (Urlich, Zimring, Quan, Joseph, Choudhary, 2004, p. 4). One way to provide adequate ventilation is to open a window, unless contraindicated, and make sure the staff maintains the buildings ventilation and cleans filters. One problem that may arise from inadequate ventilation in a hospital or any building, is sick building syndrome (Urlich et al., 2004, p. 4). Sick building syndrome can produce signs and symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, a cough, difficulty in concentration, fatigue and other signs and symptoms (Joshi, 2008). Although hospitals are usually cold, Nightingales idea of warmth is still applied today. When patients are cold, a warm blanket, from a blanket warmer is usually given to them, unless contraindicated. As well, there are heaters in hospitals to maintain a constant temperature during winter months if the location of the hospital is in an area that receives cold weather. Reference Circ.ahajournals.org. (2017). Retrieved 16 November 2017, from https://circ.ahajournals.org/content/circulationaha/early/2013/06/21/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.*****7.full.pdf Effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. (2017). Retrieved 16 November 2017, from https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/items/592/1951/medicinal services contaminations convention 140825.pdf Federal Register of Legislation. (2017).Legislation.gov.au. 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(2017). Retrieved 16 November 2017, from https://www.natsihwa.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/NATSIHWA-Cultural%20Safety-Framework%20Summary Office for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2014). Ecological Cleaning for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI). Recovered from https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/items/592/1951/medicinal services contaminations convention 140825.pdf Rheumatic heart disease. (2017).Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 16 November 2017, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/rheumatic-heart-disease Songbird, F. (1860). "Notes On Nursing: what it is, and what it isn't". Recovered https://digital.library.upenn.edu/ladies/songbird/nursing/nursing.html#V Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes On Nursing: what it is, and what it is not. Retrieved https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/nightingale/nursing/nursing.html#V