Purpose

This exploratory study stems from research conducted between 2015–2018 focussing on dementia-friendly design (DFD) in hospitals (Grey T. et al. 2018). Specifically, this study focusses on facilities management (FM) staff in Irish hospitals to gain a preliminary understanding of the level of knowledge and engagement of FM in the implementation of dementia-friendly hospital (DFH) design.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach based on a series of ad hoc semi-structured interviews, and an online survey. The aims were, namely, assess the extent of FM engagement in hospital works; measure the level of awareness regarding DFD; and identify facilitators and barriers to DFD in hospital settings. Participants (74) comprised FM staff in 35 Irish acute care hospitals. The research findings are based on thematic analysis of ad hoc semi-structured interviews (participants, n = 4) and survey responses (participants, n = 13).

Findings

While FM staff reported to possess important knowledge for building DFH, they also mentioned a lack of engagement of FM in design processes and hospital works.

Practical implications

The research has gained insight into the role of FM in promoting a dementia-friendly approach. Lack of or poor engagement of FM in design processes and hospital works means not fully tapping into rich expertise that would be invaluable in the development, implementation and maintenance of DFH. Universal design is a key driver for facilitating their engagement in the design, implementation and maintenance of DFH environments.

Originality/value

This is the first study exploring the role of FM in supporting a DFD approach in acute care hospitals.

中文翻译：

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了解爱尔兰医院对痴呆症友好设计的设施管理的知识和参与：一项探索性研究

目的

这项探索性研究源于 2015 年至2018 年间针对医院痴呆友好设计 (DFD) 开展的研究（Grey T.等人， 2018 年）。具体而言，本研究重点关注爱尔兰医院的设施管理 (FM) 员工，以初步了解 FM 在实施痴呆友好医院 (DFH) 设计方面的知识水平和参与度。

设计/方法/方法

基于一系列临时半结构化访谈和在线调查的混合方法。目的是，即评估 FM 参与医院工作的程度；衡量对 DFD 的认识水平；并确定医院环境中 DFD 的促进因素和障碍。参与者 (74) 包括 35 家爱尔兰急症护理医院的 FM 工作人员。研究结果基于对临时半结构化访谈（参与者，n = 4）和调查回复（参与者，n = 13）的主题分析。

发现

虽然 FM 工作人员报告拥有建造 DFH 的重要知识，但他们也提到 FM 在设计过程和医院工作中缺乏参与。

实际影响

该研究深入了解了 FM 在促进痴呆友好方法方面的作用。FM 在设计过程和医院工作中缺乏或参与不足意味着没有充分利用丰富的专业知识，这些专业知识在 DFH 的开发、实施和维护中是非常宝贵的。通用设计是促进他们参与 DFH 环境的设计、实施和维护的关键驱动因素。

原创性/价值

这是第一项探索 FM 在支持急诊医院 DFD 方法中的作用的研究。