A Systematic Review of Research on Indoor Environmental Quality: Key Findings and Future Directions

Healthcare places are special because they care for people who need help and also support the workers who care for them. The quality of the indoor environment affects both groups a lot. Important parts of IEQ are:

• Daylighting: Natural light, which helps improve mood and helps patients get better faster.
• Thermal Comfort: Keeping temperature just right for patients and staff so they feel comfortable and can focus.
• Acoustics: Controlling noise to reduce stress and help patients rest.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Making sure the air is clean and free from harmful things to lower infection risks and keep everyone healthy.

Research shows that good IEQ helps patients recover faster, lowers stress, and shortens hospital stays. It also helps staff do their jobs better, which improves patient care.

Key Findings from Systematic Reviews on IEQ in the U.S.

A careful review of many studies over the last 30 years looked at hundreds of research papers. These studies found clear links between IEQ and the health of patients and staff in healthcare places.

Patient Health and Recovery:

• Better IEQ is connected to quicker patient recovery.
• Less stress from good lighting, less noise, and comfortable temperature can shorten hospital stays.
• Improving air quality lowers infections and breathing problems.

Staff Effectiveness:

• Good environments help staff feel less tired and focus better.
• When staff feel better, they care for patients better and make fewer mistakes.

But some gaps remain. Few studies compare specially-built healthcare buildings with older buildings changed for medical use. This matters for managers of older places who need to improve them without disturbing patient care.

Also, many studies look at only one part of IEQ at a time, like just air or just light, without studying how these parts work together. Very few long-term studies follow patients and staff over time in real-life settings.

Trends and Patterns in U.S. IEQ Research

Many detailed studies show clear and new patterns in U.S. research:

• The U.S. plays a big role in IEQ research and often works with countries like China. Research from other parts of the world is less common.
• Thermal comfort and air quality are studied most because they are very important to healthy indoor spaces.
• Interest is growing in how people’s behavior and thinking relate to IEQ, but this needs more research.
• Most studies happen in labs or simulated places, which might not show what really happens in busy healthcare facilities.
• Sample sizes are often small, making it harder to apply the results widely. Bigger and longer studies would help decision-makers a lot.

Most researchers agree more real-world studies that combine different fields are needed.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Workflow Automation in IEQ Management

AI and automation can help manage IEQ in healthcare buildings, especially where keeping a controlled environment is very important.

Integration of IoT Sensors:

Healthcare places use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors more and more to watch things like temperature, humidity, air quality, and lighting all the time. These sensors send data to cloud systems so facility managers can check conditions without doing it by hand.

For example, sensors in clinics or hospital waiting areas can spot changes in CO2 or temperature and automatically adjust heating, cooling, and air systems. This helps keep the air clean and the space comfortable. It stops conditions that could hurt patient health or make staff stressed.

Artificial Intelligence in Predictive IEQ Management:

Machine learning looks at large amounts of data from sensors to predict when the environment will change. About half of recent IEQ studies, especially in schools which are like healthcare common areas, use deep learning to forecast comfort and suggest changes before problems happen.

Some U.S. hospitals are starting to use reinforcement learning. This is an AI method that controls heating, cooling, and lights by learning from sensor feedback and occupant needs to adjust itself. Though not common yet, it promises smart and energy-saving control.

Automating Front-Office Workflows:

Managing patient scheduling and communication is also key alongside IEQ. For example, Simbo AI offers AI-powered phone automation to handle appointment setting and answering common questions. This helps clinics during busy times without needing extra staff.

Automation lowers staff work pressure and lets them focus more on patient care. It also helps create a safe and calm environment good for patients and staff.

Applied Benefits for U.S. Medical Practice Administrators and Healthcare Owners

For people who manage medical practices or healthcare places in the U.S., the research and technology discussed here offer several benefits:

• Patient Satisfaction: Better air, light, and temperature directly improve how patients feel. Showing that you care about the environment helps build trust.
• Operational Efficiency: Real-time data from IoT sensors and AI predictions allow quick fixing of problems to avoid costly breakdowns or environmental issues that affect care.
• Staff Retention: Reducing stress from bad environments helps lower burnout and keeps skilled workers.
• Energy Savings and Sustainability: Automated systems balance comfort and energy use, important for healthcare groups managing budgets and rules.

Research Gaps and Future Directions Relevant to the United States

While IEQ research has grown a lot, more work is needed to improve healthcare building conditions in the U.S.:

• Longitudinal and Real-World Studies: Most studies use controlled or short tests. Longer studies in real hospitals would give better data for decisions.
• Combination of IEQ Factors: Future studies should look at light, air, noise, and temperature together, since they all affect patient care.
• Expanded AI Application: AI shows promise but is still new in healthcare buildings. Using more mixed AI models could improve control systems.
• Acoustic Environment: Noise control is important but understudied. Preventing noise helps patients heal and staff work better.
• Climate Change Considerations: Warmer weather and poor outdoor air affect indoor environments. This needs study for future planning.
• Inclusion of Diverse Populations: Studies should include various health measures and think about cultural and local factors that change needs inside buildings.

Summary of Recommendations for Healthcare Facility Stakeholders in the U.S.

Leaders managing healthcare buildings, IT, and outpatient services should consider these actions:

• Use IoT sensor networks to watch IEQ constantly and react quickly when it changes.
• Work with IT to build AI systems that control HVAC and lighting for comfort and energy saving.
• Use AI solutions for front-office tasks, such as automated phone services, to improve patient communication.
• Support teamwork between architects, healthcare workers, and data experts to create research and plans that fit U.S. healthcare buildings well.
• Focus on noise control in building projects and research to help patients and staff.
• Plan for local climate changes and energy goals to build strong indoor environments that last.

By carefully managing indoor environmental quality with good design and smart technology, U.S. healthcare providers can help patients get better faster and help staff work better. These changes support healthier healthcare places and national health goals.