The intensive care unit environment from the perspective of medical, allied health and nursing clinicians: A qualitative study to inform design of the ‘ideal’ bedspace

Oystein Tronstad, Dylan Flaws, India Lye, John F. Fraser, Sue Patterson, The intensive care unit environment from the perspective of medical, allied health and nursing clinicians: A qualitative study to inform design of the ‘ideal’ bedspace, Australian Critical Care, Volume 34, Issue 1, 2021, Pages 15-22, ISSN 1036-7314 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2020.06.003

Background: While the impact of the intensive care environment on patients’ experiences and outcomes has been extensively studied, relatively little research has examined the impact on clinicians and their provision of care in the intensive care unit (ICU). Understanding staff experience and views about the environment is needed to optimise the ICU environment, patient outcomes and staff wellbeing.

Objective: The objective of this study was to inform design of an optimised intensive care bedspace by describing clinicians’ views about the current environment, including experience, impact on performance of clinical duties, and experience and outcomes of patients and family members.