View through a window may influence recovery from surgery

Science. 1984 Apr 27;224(4647):420-1. doi: 10.1126/science.6143402.

Abstract

Records on recovery after cholecystectomy of patients in a suburban Pennsylvania hospital between 1972 and 1981 were examined to determine whether assignment to a room with a window view of a natural setting might have restorative influences. Twenty-three surgical patients assigned to rooms with windows looking out on a natural scene had shorter postoperative hospital stays, received fewer negative evaluative comments in nurses' notes, and took fewer potent analgesics than 23 matched patients in similar rooms with windows facing a brick building wall.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Female
  • Health Facilities*
  • Health Facility Environment*
  • Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patients' Rooms*
  • Pennsylvania
  • Postoperative Care / psychology*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Postoperative Period
  • Trees

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid