CNE Article

Enclosed Versus Open Nursing Stations in Adult Acute Care Psychiatric Settings: Does the Design Affect the Therapeutic Milieu?

Kelly Southard, RN, BSN, MBA; Ashley Jarrell, RN, BSN; Mona M. Shattell, PhD, RN; Thomas P. McCoy, MS; Robin Bartlett, PhD, RN; Christine A. Judge, RN, BSN, BC

  • Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
  • May 2012 - Volume 50 · Issue 5: 28-34
  • DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20120410-04
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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, pretest-posttest 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.

AUTHORS

Ms. Southard is Quality Outcomes Coordinator, and Ms. Judge is RN III, Cone Behavioral Health Hospital, Ms. Jarrell is RN II, Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Mr. McCoy is Statistician and Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Department of Educational Research Methodology, and Dr. Bartlett is Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro North Carolina. Dr. Shattell is Associate Professor, DePaul University, School of Nursing, Chi-cago, Illinois. At the time the study was conducted, Ms. Jarrell was a student in the School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

Address correspondence to Mona M. Shattell, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, DePaul University, School of Nursing, 990 W. Fullerton Avenue, #2302, Chicago, IL 60614; e-mail: mona.shattell@gmail.com.

Received: November 22, 2011
Accepted: March 22, 2012
Posted: April 25, 2012

doi: 10.3928/02793695-20120410-04

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