Documenting the NICU design dilemma: comparative patient progress in open-ward and single family room units.
OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of single family room (SFR) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) designs, questions regarding patient medical progress and relative patient safety were explored. Addressing these questions would be of value to hospital staff, administrators and designers alike.


METHODS
This prospective study documented, by means of Institution Review Board-approved protocols, the progress of patients in two contrasting NICU designs. Noise levels, illumination and air quality measurements were included to define the two NICU physical environments.


RESULTS
Infants in the SFR unit had fewer apneic events, reduced nosocomial sepsis and mortality, as well as earlier transitions to enteral nutrition. More mothers sustained stage III lactation, and more infants were discharged breastfeeding in the SFR.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the SFR to be more conducive to family-centered care, and to enhance infant medical progress and breastfeeding success over that of an open ward.
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV, USA.
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Domanico
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Davis
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Coleman
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Davis
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards*; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies