520
Detailed Needs and Requirements: Intensive Care Units
Instant communication to these staff members, their rapid arrival on
the unit, and the immediate availability of necessary supplies and
equipment are all vital at such times.
As many as fifteen persons may be involved in these emergency
procedures and they may need quick access to all four sides of the
bed. Several pieces of equipment are also required adjacent to the bed
in these circumstances.
2. Organization
Many environmental and operational characteristics of these different
units may be similar, but there are significant reasons to provide
separate facilities for each. For example, the nursing skills required to
observe and care for critically ill surgical, medical, and cardiac patients
differ and separate staffing may be necessary. In addition to separate
staffing requirements, each of these units may need to relate to other
areas in the hospital such that a combination of intensive care facilities
is precluded.
The prime organizational factor is constant patient observation by the
nursing staff. This implies a limited number of beds grouped around a
central work station.
A secondary, but important, factor is rapid access to equipment and
supplies. Supplies are used in relatively large quantities and access is
frequent. Activities requiring preparation on the unit should occur in a
manner which will allow nurses to maintain observation of patients
whenever possible.
Generally the level of activity on I.C.U.'s is constant throughout the day
with only a slight reduction during the night hours. An ability for the
staff to leave the pressures of the unit for short periods of time, while
remaining on call, is highly desirable.
523.1.4
Primary Users
1. Patients
Patients will be brought to the surgical intensive care unit from the
surgical recovery room, the operating theater, the emergency room, or
from general nursing units. Medical or cardiac patients, on the other
hand, may be brought to intensive care units from the emergency
room, admitting areas, or from general nursing units.
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