Health-care environments can be intimidating and scary places especially in the eyes of a child. When attempting to create spaces that are engaging to children, how do we know what works and are the needs the same across the age groups? In a 2011 comprehensive systematic review, a total of 20 studies were reviewed to answer the question: Can the health-care environment have an impact on children's anxiety? The results of the review showed that the built environment can support and enhance the coping strategies utilized by children, however further research is needed. The aim of this article is to summarize the findings of the review highlighting simple design strategies of minimal cost to large construction projects warranting extensive resources. Careful evaluation of space incorporating end-user input can result in age appropriate environments that support safe, quality care and enhance a positive health-care experience for all.

This study aims to assess the benefits of an Admission Service (AS) wherein the nurse, when fluent in the language spoken by the patient (Arabic), improves the accuracy and efficiency of acquiring key assessment data needed to guide nursing care. Patients' satisfaction with their hospital experience begins formulating from their time of admission. Dissatisfaction is frequently reported in areas requiring careful, skilled communication such as obtaining emotional support and family participation and education. Over a 3-month study recruitment, 314 patients were randomly assigned to be admitted either through the AS (n=150) or to the unit via the standard admission process (n=164). The AS improved the efficiency of admission time by >150%. The nurse's assessment of their quality of admission was also improved: 76 vs. 26 nurses rated their quality of admission as 'very good' when assisted by the AS compared with standard admission to the unit.

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