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Exploring registered nurse perceptions of single patient rooms after transition from multiple patient rooms Evans, Teaghan

Abstract

In October of 2017, British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital (BCCH) moved to an entirely new hospital with a completely new geographical unit layout consisting of 100% single patient rooms (SPR). Unit layout was based on SPR recommendations by the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI), an international non-profit organization that establishes recommendations for the design of health-care facilities (FGI, 2006). The research on SPRs has focused predominantly on patients’ reactions to this type of geographical layout. The literature states that patients have positive reactions to SPRs, but providers have concerns, particularly nurses’ physical isolation, communications disruptions, and patient visibility and monitoring. There are few publications on safety adaptations with respect to providers’ SPR concerns. At this hospital, nurses’ reactions to the changeover to SPRs have not been formally evaluated. Anecdotally, direct care nurses have voiced concerns to their managers and directions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore nurse’s experience and perception of the influences of SPR on their work. Utilizing qualitative descriptive methodology, seven registered nurses were interviewed in an attempt to understand the experience of transitioning from MPR to SPR. As healthcare transitions to a patient and family-centered model of care, SPRs will become the standard of care. Prioritizing staff experience as much as patient experience is critical to maintaining morale and retention. Findings from this qualitative study enhance the literature evidence and provide nurse’s recommendations for optimized use of SPRs.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International