Improvingthe Patient’s Environment: the Ideal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Recent medical literature has been reporting the effects of intensive care unit (ICU) design on patients’ and family members’ well-being, safety, and functionality. Features of ICU design linked to the needs of patients and their family are single rooms, privacy, quiet surrounding, exposure to daylight, views of nature, prevention of infection, a family area, and open visiting hours. Improving the ICU environment is shown to increase the patients and family members’ satisfaction while reducing the duration of delirium. An organization based on the respect of the needs of the patients and their family is mandatory in designing a new ICU. The main aims in the design of a new ICU should be patient-centered care and future-proof concept.