Enclosed versus open nursing stations in adult care psychiatric settings: Does the design affect the therapeutic milieu?

Kelly Southard, Ashley Jarrell, Mona M. Shattell, Thomas P. Mccoy, Robin Bartlett, Christine A. Judge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Specific efforts by hospital accreditation organizations encourage renovation of nursing stations, so nurses can better see, attend, and care for their patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nursing station design on the therapeutic milieu in an adult acute care psychiatric unit. A repeated cross-sectional, pretestposttest design was used. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 81 patients and 25 nursing staff members who completed the Ward Atmosphere Scale. Pretest data were collected when the unit had an enclosed nursing station, and posttest data were collected after renovations to the unit created an open nursing station. No statistically significant differences were found in patient or staff perceptions of the therapeutic milieu. No increase in aggression toward staff was found, given patients' ease of access to the nursing station. More research is needed about the impact of unit design in acute care psychiatric settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)32-34
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services
Volume50
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Phychiatric Mental Health

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