Testing the birth unit design spatial evaluation tool (BUDSET) in Australia: A pilot study

Foureur, MJ; Leap, N; Davis, DL; Forbes, IF; Homer, CSE

Testing the birth unit design spatial evaluation tool (BUDSET) in Australia: A pilot study

Foureur, MJ

Leap, N Davis, DL

Forbes, IF Homer, CSE

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health Environments Research and Design Journal, 2011, 4 (2), pp. 36 - 60
Issue Date:: 2011-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Foureur, MJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0454-0165	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Leap, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Davis, DL https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2041-1064	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Forbes, IF	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Health Environments Research and Design Journal, 2011, 4 (2), pp. 36 - 60	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1937-5867	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/16902
dc.description.abstract	Objective: To pilot test the Birth Unit Design Spatial Evaluation Tool (BUDSET) in an Australian maternity care setting to determine whether such an instrument can measure the optimality of different birth settings. Background: Optimally designed spaces to give birth are likely to influence a woman's ability to experience physiologically normal labor and birth. This is important in the current industrialized environment, where increased caesarean section rates are causing concerns. The measurement of an optimal birth space is currently impossible, because there are limited tools available. Methods: A quantitative study was undertaken to pilot test the discriminant ability of the BUDSET in eight maternity units in New South Wales, Australia. Five auditors trained in the use of the BUDSET assessed the birth units using the BUDSET, which is based on 18 design principles and is divided into four domains (Fear Cascade, Facility, Aesthetics, and Support) with three to eight assessable items in each. Data were independently collected in eight birth units. Values for each of the domains were aggregated to provide an overall Optimality Score for each birth unit. Results: A range of Optimality Scores was derived for each of the birth units (from 51 to 77 out of a possible 100 points). The BUDSET identified units with low-scoring domains. Essentially these were older units and conventional labor ward settings. Conclusion: The BUDSET provides a way to assess the optimality of birth units and determine which domain areas may need improvement. There is potential for improvements to existing birth spaces, and considerable improvement can be made with simple low-cost modifications. Further research is needed to validate the tool. © 2011, Vendome Group, LLC. All rights reserved.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Health Environments Research and Design Journal	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/193758671100400205	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Parturition	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospital Design and Construction	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery Rooms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.title	Testing the birth unit design spatial evaluation tool (BUDSET) in Australia: A pilot study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.for	1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	12 Built Environment and Design	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	4	en_US

Abstract:

Objective: To pilot test the Birth Unit Design Spatial Evaluation Tool (BUDSET) in an Australian maternity care setting to determine whether such an instrument can measure the optimality of different birth settings. Background: Optimally designed spaces to give birth are likely to influence a woman's ability to experience physiologically normal labor and birth. This is important in the current industrialized environment, where increased caesarean section rates are causing concerns. The measurement of an optimal birth space is currently impossible, because there are limited tools available. Methods: A quantitative study was undertaken to pilot test the discriminant ability of the BUDSET in eight maternity units in New South Wales, Australia. Five auditors trained in the use of the BUDSET assessed the birth units using the BUDSET, which is based on 18 design principles and is divided into four domains (Fear Cascade, Facility, Aesthetics, and Support) with three to eight assessable items in each. Data were independently collected in eight birth units. Values for each of the domains were aggregated to provide an overall Optimality Score for each birth unit. Results: A range of Optimality Scores was derived for each of the birth units (from 51 to 77 out of a possible 100 points). The BUDSET identified units with low-scoring domains. Essentially these were older units and conventional labor ward settings. Conclusion: The BUDSET provides a way to assess the optimality of birth units and determine which domain areas may need improvement. There is potential for improvements to existing birth spaces, and considerable improvement can be made with simple low-cost modifications. Further research is needed to validate the tool. © 2011, Vendome Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/16902