title: Relocating an intensive care unit: An exploratory qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As new hospitals are built to replace old and ageing facilities, intensive care units are being constructed with single patient rooms rather than open plan environments. While single rooms may limit hospital infections and promote patient privacy, their effect on patient safety and work processes in the intensive care unit requires greater understanding. Strategies to manage changes to a different physical environment are also unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify challenges and issues as perceived by staff related to relocating to a geographically and structurally new intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  This exploratory ethnographic study, underpinned by Donabedian's structure, process and outcome framework, was conducted in an Australian tertiary hospital intensive care unit. A total of 55 participants including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and support staff participated in the study. We conducted 12 semi-structured focus group and eight individual interviews, and reviewed the hospital's documents specific to the relocation. After sorting the data deductively into structure, process and outcome domains, the data were then analysed inductively to identify themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged: understanding of the relocation plan, preparing for the uncertainties and vulnerabilities of a new work environment, and acknowledging the need for change and engaging in the relocation process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A systematic change management strategy, dedicated change leadership and expertise, and an effective communication strategy are important factors to be considered in managing ICU relocation. Uncertainty and staff anxiety related to the relocation must be considered and supports put in place for a smooth transition. Work processes and model of care that are suited to the new single room environment should be developed, and patient safety issues in the single room setting should be considered and monitored. Future studies on managing multidisciplinary work processes during intensive care unit relocation will add to the learnings we report here.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia. Electronic address: F.Lin@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Frances Fengzhi
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Nursing Unit Manager Intensive Care Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Health, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients (NCREN), Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaboyer
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing Interventions for Hospitalised Patients (NCREN), Centre for Health Practice Innovation (HPI), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia; Acute and Complex Care Nursing, Gold Coast Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010934:Planning Techniques; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland
keywords: Change management; Hospital; Intensive care units; Move; Nursing; Relocation; Single room; Transition; Work processes