Guidelines for intensive care unit design

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Abstract
Objectives To develop guidelines that can serve as a reference for healthcare institutions wishing to design a new intensive care unit (ICU) or modify an existing ICU. Data Sources Medical, nursing, and architectural/design literatures from 1975 to the present related to ICU structure and function; current regulatory standards; consensus opinion of physicians, nurses, and architects with expertise in the ICU environment. Data Synthesis Preference was given to regulatory standards and outcomes-based studies. If none was found, studies showing trends or preferences were combined with consensus opinion to derive models combining cost-efficiency and function. Conclusions ICU design should reflect a multidisciplinary team approach by physician, nursing, administrative, and technical personnel. An optimum ICU design is described herein. Acceptable variations are indicated and essential aspects are emphasized. (Crit Care Med 1995; 23:582-588)

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