Single-Bed or Multibed Room Designs Influence ICU Staff Stress and Family Satisfaction, But Do Not Influence ICU Staff Burnout

To compare the impact of single-bed versus multibed room intensive care units (ICU) architectural designs on the stress and burnout of ICU staff and on the stress and satisfaction of family visitors.

There are countless architectural variations among ICUs, but all involve single-bed or multibed rooms. Although it is well known that ICU design affects important patient outcomes, the effect of ICU design on family and staff has been insufficiently studied.

Among ICU staff and family visitors, stress was evaluated with Lipp’s Inventory of Stress Symptoms. ICU staff burnout was evaluated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Family visitor satisfaction was evaluated with Molter’s Critical Care Family Needs Inventory.

Among 156 ICU professionals who were interviewed, similar burnout rates were observed between ICU staff who worked single-bed versus multibed rooms. However, stress reported by ICU staff within the previous 24 hr was higher among the ICU staff who worked in single-bed rooms (14.3% vs. 4.7%, p = .04). Among 176 family visitors who were interviewed, a similar level of stress was reported by family members who visited patients in single-bed or multibed rooms. However, the satisfaction of family members visiting patients in single-bed rooms was higher (96.0% vs. 84.6%, p = .02).

Single-bed ICU design was associated with greater satisfaction of family visitors yet with higher levels of stress for ICU staff. Meanwhile, similar burnout levels were observed for ICU staff who worked in single-bed or multibed rooms.