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Tronstad O, Flaws D, Patterson S, Holdsworth R, Garcia-Hansen V, Rodriguez Leonard F, Ong R, Yerkovich S, Fraser JF. Evaluation of the sensory environment in a large tertiary ICU. Crit Care 2023; 27:461. [PMID: 38012768 PMCID: PMC10683296 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04744-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ICU survival is improving. However, many patients leave ICU with ongoing cognitive, physical, and/or psychological impairments and reduced quality of life. Many of the reasons for these ongoing problems are unmodifiable; however, some are linked with the ICU environment. Suboptimal lighting and excessive noise contribute to a loss of circadian rhythms and sleep disruptions, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Despite long-standing awareness of these problems, meaningful ICU redesign is yet to be realised, and the 'ideal' ICU design is likely to be unique to local context and patient cohorts. To inform the co-design of an improved ICU environment, this study completed a detailed evaluation of the ICU environment, focussing on acoustics, sound, and light. METHODS This was an observational study of the lighting and acoustic environment using sensors and formal evaluations. Selected bedspaces, chosen to represent different types of bedspaces in the ICU, were monitored during prolonged study periods. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS Two of the three monitored bedspaces showed a limited difference in lighting levels across the day, with average daytime light intensity not exceeding 300 Lux. In bedspaces with a window, the spectral power distribution (but not intensity) of the light was similar to natural light when all ceiling lights were off. However, when the ceiling lights were on, the spectral power distribution was similar between bedspaces with and without windows. Average sound levels in the study bedspaces were 63.75, 56.80, and 59.71 dBA, with the single room being noisier than the two open-plan bedspaces. There were multiple occasions of peak sound levels > 80 dBA recorded, with the maximum sound level recorded being > 105 dBA. We recorded one new monitor or ventilator alarm commencing every 69 s in each bedspace, with only 5% of alarms actioned. Acoustic testing showed poor sound absorption and blocking. CONCLUSIONS This study corroborates other studies confirming that the lighting and acoustic environments in the study ICU were suboptimal, potentially contributing to adverse patient outcomes. This manuscript discusses potential solutions to identified problems. Future studies are required to evaluate whether an optimised ICU environment positively impacts patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oystein Tronstad
- Critical Care Research Group, Level 3 Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
- Physiotherapy Department, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Dylan Flaws
- Critical Care Research Group, Level 3 Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia
- Department of Mental Health, Metro North Mental Health, Caboolture Hospital, Caboolture, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sue Patterson
- Critical Care Research Group, Level 3 Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia
- School of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robert Holdsworth
- Critical Care Research Group, Level 3 Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia
| | - Veronica Garcia-Hansen
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Francisca Rodriguez Leonard
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ruth Ong
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stephanie Yerkovich
- Menzies School of Health Research and Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John F Fraser
- Critical Care Research Group, Level 3 Clinical Sciences Building, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Tronstad O, Flaws D, Lye I, Fraser JF, Patterson S. Doing time in an Australian ICU; the experience and environment from the perspective of patients and family members. Aust Crit Care 2021; 34:254-62. [PMID: 32943306 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intensive care environment and experiences during admission can negatively impact patient and family outcomes and can complicate recovery both in hospital and after discharge. While their perspectives based on intimate experiences of the environment could help inform design improvements, patients and their families are typically not involved in design processes. Rather than designing the environment around the needs of the patients, emphasis has traditionally been placed on clinical and economic efficiencies. OBJECTIVE The main objective was to inform design of an optimised intensive care bedspace by developing an understanding of how patients and their families experience the intensive care environment and its impact on recovery. METHODS A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with data collected in interviews with 17 intensive care patients and seven family members at a large cardiothoracic specialist hospital, analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS Participants described the intensive care as a noisy, bright, confronting and scary environment that prevented sleep and was suboptimal for recovery. Bedspaces were described as small and cluttered, with limited access to natural light or cognitive stimulation. The limited ability to personalise the environment and maintain connections with family and the outside world was considered especially problematic. CONCLUSIONS Intensive care patients described features of the current environment they considered problematic and potentially hindering their recovery. The perspective of patients and their families can be utilised by researchers and developers to improve the design and function of the intensive care environment. This can potentially improve patient outcomes and help deliver more personalised and effective care to this vulnerable patient population and their families.
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Tronstad O, Flaws D, Lye I, Fraser JF, Patterson S. 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. Aust Crit Care 2020; 34:15-22. [PMID: 32684406 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
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. METHODS A pragmatic, qualitative descriptive study was conducted, with data collected in focus groups and interviews with 30 intensive care clinicians at a large cardiothoracic specialist hospital and analysed using the framework approach. RESULTS Participants acknowledged that the busy and noisy ICU provided a suboptimal healing environment for patients, was confronting for visiting families and exposed clinicians to risk of psychological injury. The bedspace, described as small and cluttered, hindered provision of clinical care of various kinds and contributed to an increased risk of staff physical injuries. Participants noted that the bland, sterile environment, devoid of natural light and views of the outside world, negatively affected both staff and patients' mood and motivation. Aware of the potential benefits of natural light, cognitive stimulation and visually appealing environments for patients and families, clinicians were frustrated by their inability to personalise the bedspace. Some participants, while acknowledging the importance of family contact for patients, were concerned about the impact of visitors on care delivery, particularly within already crowded bedspaces, suggesting restrictions on visiting. CONCLUSIONS Intensive care clinicians perceive that the current intensive care environment is suboptimal for patients, their families and staff and may contribute to suboptimal patient outcomes. The intensive care bedspaces need to be redesigned to ensure they are built around the needs of the people using them. Optimisation is dependent on engaging all stakeholders in future design processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oystein Tronstad
- Critical Care Research Group, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Northside Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Dylan Flaws
- Critical Care Research Group, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - India Lye
- Critical Care Research Group, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
| | - John F Fraser
- Critical Care Research Group, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Northside Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Sue Patterson
- Critical Care Research Group, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; School of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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