This study explored changes within the healthcare industry (e.g., single-patient rooms, electronic medical records, etc.) and the shift to a more linear unit design as factors that could be leading to communication breakdowns, challenging the notion that a decentralized nursing station is the primary contributor.
The objective was to develop a theory and opinion article that addresses decentralized charting alcoves, corridor design, and unit size in contemporary intensive care units.
The article was developed based on a brief review of ICU design history and recent literature.
After a brief history of intensive care unit design and a description of contemporary practices in the design of ICUs, the author reflects on anecdotal evidence provided by clinicians and recent research related to negative, unintended consequences of decentralization of nursing stations. The author further notes that recent criticism of nursing alcoves may be misplaced because unit size, shape, and corridor design may be at fault for nurse dissatisfaction.
While references are provided and the author is well versed in the subject matter, this is an opinion article.