Brewer BB, Carley KM, Benham-Hutchins M, Effken JA, Reminga J. Nursing Unit Design, Nursing Staff Communication Networks, and Patient Falls: Are They Related?
HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2018;
11:82-94. [PMID:
29916273 PMCID:
PMC6236589 DOI:
10.1177/1937586718779223]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to (1) investigate the impact of nursing unit
design on nursing staff communication patterns and, ultimately, on patient
falls in acute care nursing units; and (2) evaluate whether differences in
fall rates, if found, were associated with the nursing unit physical
structure (shape) or size.
Background:
Nursing staff communication and nursing unit design are frequently linked to
patient safety outcomes, yet little is known about the impact of specific
nursing unit designs on nursing communication patterns that might affect
patient falls.
Method:
An exploratory longitudinal correlational design was used to measure nursing
unit communication structures using social network analysis techniques. Data
were collected 4 times over a 7-month period. Floor plans were used to
determine nursing unit design. Fall rates were provided by hospital
coordinators.
Results:
An analysis of covariance controlling for hospitals resulted in a
statistically significant interaction of unit shape and size (number of
beds). The interaction occurred when medium- and large-sized
racetrack-shaped units intersected with medium- and large-sized cross-shaped
units.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that nursing unit design shape impacts nursing
communication patterns, and the interaction of shape and size may impact
patient falls. How those communication patterns affect patient falls should
be considered when planning hospital construction of nursing care units.
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