AMBIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT COLLABORATING TO HEALTH: STUDY IN A NEONATAL UNIT

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an awareness workshop on stressful, restorative, and humanizing environments in the hospital space considering the pandemic of COVID-19. The Neonatal ICU (NICU) is a highly complex stressful environment. Stress factors cause damage to the user, while restoration happens when the stress-causing stimulus ceases. It is considered important to study this environment, characterizing its stressors and the collaboration of restoration and humanization for the individuals’ recovery. Through a qualitative approach, the research is characterized as exploratory, also using bibliographic review. The methodology consisted of bibliographic research; workshop with students; and analysis of the results. The workshop was divided into three parts: awareness; theoretical background and concept panel production. The data were presented in graphs. The workshop generated reflections on the space and proposals for restoration. Color and lighting and noise control were some stress-relieving solutions. The ambiance was mentioned, considering, in addition to the physical environment, the social and professional spaces, and interpersonal relationships. In this pandemic period, a need to establish separate patient flows was found. For future studies, the expansion and applicability of this workshop in NICUs is suggested, aiming to improve the quality of the ambiance for the well-being of users