A decade of adult intensive care unit design: a study of the physical design features of the best-practice examples

The study identified the Guidelines, economy, patient volume, and the available research evidence as the four primary forces shaping the physical design of adult ICUs. According to the study findings, the effects of economy and patient volume on ICU design were not always in the best interests of patient, staff, or family. The effects of the Guidelines were positive in some areas of design, because they ensured that the basic needs of patients, staff, and families/visitors were met in ICUs. However, in other areas, the Guidelines had negative effects, because the design community became fixated with its recommendations, against its better judgment. Finally, the effects of available research evidence on ICU design were limited but positive. The research evidence allowed the community to push the boundaries defined by the Guidelines and to use better design features than those suggested in the Guidelines. Since economy and patient volume are beyond control, the ICU design community would serve its purpose well by conducting more empirical research aimed at resolving basic ICU design questions and updating the Guidelines for Intensive Care Unit Design more frequently on the basis of that research.