Bringing research into a closed and protected place: development and implementation of a complex clinical intervention project in an ICU.
This article reports a Swedish research project designed to study the impact of a cyclic light system, sound absorbents, and selected interior design changes in rooms within an intensive care unit. The authors describe the limitations of many previously reported intensive care unit (ICU) design research projects, and believe that much more knowledge is needed, which reflects a multidisciplinary perspective. It is complicated to carry out intervention research in ICUs because of the condition of patients, family presence, staffing, and other issues. A combination of methodological approaches, close contact with the clinical field, secure funding, and clear communication within the multidisciplinary research team are of vital importance. The results from the authors' initial evaluation process are reported including patient interviews and data from medical records. The Medical Research Council's guideline for design and evaluation of complex interventions directed the actual project and forms the structure for this article.
Faculty of Caring Sciences, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden (Drs Lindahl and Ms Bergbom) and Institute of Health and Caring Sciences, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. (Dr Bergbom).
Berit
B
Lindahl
Ingegerd
I
Bergbom
D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000295:instrumentation; D008029:Lighting