A Comparative Analysis of Patient Visibility, Spatial Configuration and Nurse Walking Distance in Korean Intensive Care Units(ICUs) - Focused on single corridor, Pod and Composite type units

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze a sample of single corridor, pod type and composite type of ICUs in terms of patient visibility, spatial configurations and nurse walking distance focused on Korean cases. Methods: The measures of static visibility were used to quantify the patient visibility (upper third part of the patient bed) from the nurse station. The measure of space programme and area distribution (patient zone percentage, staff zone percentage, circulation zone percentage, corridor length per bed, distance from nurse station (NS) to patient bed and departmental gross square meter (DGSM) per patient bed) were calculated by using AutoCAD and MS Excel programs. In the second step of analysis the values of space distribution were compared among the three type of ICUs as well as the nurse walking distance, DGSM per bed and gross factor. in the third step of analysis regression analysis was conducted for the possible correlation between visibility and space programme and area distribution factors as well as nurse walking distance factors. Results: (1) It was found that on average composite type unit offer highest value of patient visibility followed by pod type, while single corridor type unit offers the minimum value of patient visibility among the three plan typologies. (2) Average patient visibility and DGSM per bed shows a strong positive correlation (<TEX>$r^2=0.75$</TEX>) and p=0.026. (3) Average patient visibility and average distance from NS has a strong negative correlation (<TEX>$r^2=0.78$</TEX>), and P=0.02. (4) On average composite type unit offer the minimum walking distance from NS (7.22 meter) followed by pod type unit (8.35 meter) and single corridor (9.76 meter). (5) Maximum distance from NS was noted in single corridor (18.19 meter) followed by pod type unit (15.14 meter) and Composite type unit (11.1 meter). Implications: This study may contribute to the visibility analysis of existing and future ICU design in Korea to achieve maximum patient visibility and reduced nurse walking distance.