AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACTS OF DECENTRALIZED NURSING UNIT Studies measuring the impacts of decentralized nursing unit design focused on five main issues including how nurses spend their time, walking distance, acute stress, productivity, and teamwork. The physical design of decentralized nursing units were intended to increase positive work-flow operations by creating productive use of nursing time, reducing staff stress and walking distances, and enhancing teamwork, among other nursing concerns. Authors of this article conducted studies to examine the influence of a decentralized nursing unit on operational efficiency, staff wellbeing, and teamwork. The studies focused on five main issues including how nurses spend their time, walking distance, acute stress, productivity, and teamwork. The results showed constant variations in
nurse station use, documentation processes, medication room use, and supply room use in all units. Negative outcomes consisted of an increase in walking distance and a decrease in staff communication, collaboration, and interaction – although assessments revealed for an increase in collaboration in the physical facility. Decentralized nursing unit design has shown improvements in work tasks, but this design has also lead to many unexpected issues with walking, staff collaboration and teamwork.
KEY P OINTS
Pati, D., Harvey, T., Spira, P., Redden, P., & Summers, B. (2015). An empirical examination of the impacts of decentralized nursing unit. Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 8(2), 56-70.
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Negative outcomes from decentralized nursing units consisted of an increase in walking distance, and a decrease in staff communication and collaboration. Positive outcomes revealed improvements in work related operational tasks.