Color and newborn intensive care unit design: executive summary

Abstract

Research on color in the design of healthcare settings is minimal. This paper provides an executive summary of a recent review on this topic, focusing on application to newborn intensive care units. The review focuses on the following question: Does the use of color in the design of the newborn intensive care units impact health outcomes in infants, families, and/or staff? We employed a structured review process, resulting in four studies involving the use of color in NICUs. The search was expanded to include general research on responses to color and studies in other healthcare settings. The literature clustered around preferences and psychobiological impact of color on infants and adults in NICUs, the interaction of color and light, and the impact of color on adults in general medical settings. Recommendations are made regarding the importance of modifiability and flexibility in the use of color in NICUs and colors that are associated with stress reduction and stimulation.