Full metadata
Title
Critical communication: observing how ICU environments impact nurse communication
Description
The goal of this research was to contribute to the understanding of how the physical design of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) environments may be improved to enhance nursing communication, and in turn, the quality and safety of patient outcomes. This study was guided by two research questions: (1) What are the major characteristics of nurse communication in a hybrid ICU nurse station design? (2) What are the factors in the built environment that enhance or hinder nurse communication in a hybrid ICU nurse station design? The research design was exploratory and qualitative. Observations were conducted in two ICUs with hybrid nurse station layouts. Participant observation was used to systematically observe and document nurse communication and the physical attributes of the ICU nurse work environment that affect communication. Literature, observations, and information regarding staffing and design about the selected ICUs were analyzed for the generation of concepts and the exploration of significant themes. Results show that nurse interactions with other staff members varied within the different zones of the ICU pod. A biaxial map illustrates four key types of core nurse communication interactions: At ease, On guard, In motion, and On the edge. The quadrants representing barriers to nurse communication are On guard and On the edge, and included interactions with other staff members in the pod. The quadrants representing facilitators to nurse communication are At ease and In motion. The hybrid nurse station layout supported nurse-nurse communication, but not communication interactions with other staff members present on the pod. The results provide a broad understanding of how nurse communication is affected by the environment in which nurses work, and allows for the emergence of design opportunities to enhance nurse communication.
Date Created
2011
Contributors
- Newcomb, Emily Michelle Darling (Author)
- Lamb, Gerri (Thesis advisor)
- Stein, Morris (Thesis advisor)
- Wolf, Peter (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
x, 115 p. : ill., plans
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.9187
Statement of Responsibility
by Emily Michelle Darling Newcomb
Description Source
Retrieved on Jan. 10, 2012
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: M.S.D., Arizona State University, 2011
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-107)
Field of study: Design
System Created
- 2011-08-12 04:39:51
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:53:06
- 3 years 2 months ago
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