Patient bays
Patients will spend periods of time without staff in patient bays and they might become agitated while waiting for treatment, or if their condition changes. Care should be taken to ensure that no equipment is stored that could potentially be used as a weapon.
Design can help make patient bays a reassuring space where information is provided to help manage their expectations and make them feel safe and comfortable.
“Confidentiality has emerged as a priority issue in light of research showing that physicians and nurses very frequently breach patient confidentiality and privacy by talking in spaces where they are overheard by other patients or persons.” [Reference: Center for Health Design, Ulrich, Roger, Martinez, C.A. et al (2004) The Role of the Physical Environment in the Hospital of the 21st Century: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity ]
A&E patients may have to give personal details again when encountering new members of staff. Multi-bed rooms that are divided by curtains provide very little privacy, which can also inhibit how much information staff feel happy to discuss with the patient. Where possible, curtains should be replaced with solid walls in order to provide full auditory and visual privacy for the patient. Single bed patient rooms have been found to have fewer associated medical errors, better communication between staff and patients, as well as higher patient satisfaction rates with overall quality of care. [Reference: Center for Health Design, Ulrich, Roger, Martinez, C.A. et al (2004) The Role of the Physical Environment in the Hospital of the 21st Century: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity ]
Some difficult and aggressive patients will have to be cared for, and may cause great disruption and stress to those around them in a multi-bed ward. A number of hard walled bays should be made available in the majors and observation units (where patients stay for a longer period of time) to accommodate these types of patients. These bays should also have two exits to enable staff to escape any violent behaviour.