title: Structure and function:  planning a new ICU to optimize patient care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey the recent medical literature reporting effects of ICU design on patients' and family members' well being, safety and functionality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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. Other features such as safety, working procedures, ergonomics and logistics have a direct impact on the patient care and the nursing and medical personnel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An organization structured on the needs of the patient and their family is mandatory in designing a new ICU. The main aims in the design of a new department should be patient-centered care, safety, functionality, innovation and a future-proof concept.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. jkesecioglu@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kesecioglu
authors.forename: Margriet M E
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Arendina W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: van der Kooi
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bion
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care