Critical care design has evolved from a series of curtained cubicles in a large open room to private rooms that occupy significantly more space. Nowhere is this move to larger spaces more apparent than when reviewing the adult critical care unit award winners of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and American Institute of Architects/Academy of Architecture for Health annual design competition over the last 2 decades
This study sought to compare overall trends in space allocation and differentiate how space was allocated between small, medium, and large units. The author reviewed 15 recently completed ICU units.
This study compares the space allocation of 15 recently completed critical care units to document trends in overall space allocation. It also compares the allocation of space between small, medium, and large units.
The author reports that there are two factors that contribute to the overall departmental gross square feet per bed, the net-to-gross ratio that generally reflects the amount of circulation space on the unit, and the net square feet (NSF) or actual usable square footage. They both increased. The author concludes that the number of beds, net-to-gross factor, and net square feet per bed of the 15 units increased as the departmental gross square feet per bed increased. Further, the author states, within the net or usable square footage allocation, all categories of space increased progressively as the overall space increased, with the exception of direct patient care space and patient care support space categories. The author provides averages for preliminary benchmarks when evaluating existing critical care units or planning replacement units.
The findings are based on a small sample size and, therefore, are not conclusive. However, the author notes that they do represent several trends and can guide future critical care unit planning and identify areas for future study.