Considerations regarding the planning of Intensive Care Units (ICU) upon user’s perspective

Abstract

The present work discusses the results of the physical environment evaluation from three Intensive Care Units  (ICU) of public hospitals from the Great Florianópolis. It aimed to identify the recurring problems in these units from the environmental perception feature from their healthcare professionals and also from the researches´ evaluation, and to reflect on possible solutions. Therefore, the following was conducted: literature review; exploratory visits to two private hospitals ICUs, and Post Occupancy Evaluation in three public hospitals case studies where it was applied visual mapping and walkthrough analysis. It is important to highlight that, in the walkthrough analysis, the three Units have not attended strongly the minimum necessary aspects to the local functioning, which refer, in the majority, to aspects provided in resolutions and rules. Among the reoccurring problems found in the three ICUs evaluated there are: undersizing of environments; insufficient or unqualified furniture and equipment; unfriendly ambiance; undesirable overlapping of uses; conservation and maintenance problems; lack of visibility in regard to beds; inappropriate finishing; and defective infrastructure aspects. It is expected that with the discussion of the observed problems and of possible solutions it contributes with the professional acting, public management of these places and review of current legislation.