Ideas for a New Unit

Hey everybody I am sure some of you work CCU please give me a hand here

I am the charge nurs in a ccu that is currently 24 beds but they are going to build a new unit and increase to 36 beds. The budget and expense are not my concern I am just trying to get ideas so we can submit in the planning stages things we want. I already have many but I just thought some of you could offer things you have seen that work or things that definately don't work etc just so we can get some ideas.

Thanks for your reply

ps hey mods why is this thread not showing up in my subscribed threads? Just curious Thanks

Chest high outlets and plug-ins (no having to crawl around to plug in beds or vents, or get suction running)

Chest high electric outlets throughout unit and walkways.

Self propeled beds that sit the pt all the way up and allow them to stand. Many of these have the foot that converts to a tray for monitors etc

For those units that both sexes share a restroom (dont laugh), a toilet with stall and standing urinal for the guys,

Several large sinks for family (and staff) to wash hands in (can we say nosocomial infections).

Adult sized med carts (not three feet tall).

Med carts and supply carts in pt room.

Nurse lounge with windows to outside (saw this in two ICUs, was fantastic).

Seperate place for RNs to do chart work etc away from other specialties and MDs (saw this in an ER that worked well, maybe not for ccu).

Large elevated basin in pt rooms for disposing of fluids instead of small toilet. Should have large hook perhaps mounted on wall for CRRT bags etc. and be pedal operated.

Good procedure lights in pt room as well as dimmers for regular lighting. Charting light as well if PC in pt room.

Phones in room should have different ring tone that doesnt disturb pts but easily recognized by staff.

I think square or round units with central nurse station work best (everybody can see and help everybody) rather than the new units that go around a corner etc. Someone always gets stuck off by themselves.

Wide automated door and wide walkways (plan for the future, only more equiment will have to be transported). Consider a door that can be futured for locking (ie locked unit).

Oh, and a good foot heavy duty foot massager for the nurses on break...

11

Thanks,

Some of these I had but there are a few I will definately put in the mix. I am Charge for CCU and have been asked by my manager to be the champion of this project, finding out what everybody would like and dislike in the new unit. I have several good people making suggestions but I figure more is better I might pick up something I would have missed otherwise.

I appreciate your input

i see you got our private message

i see you got our private message

?

apparently somone at work was able to get on using my name and sent a private message to me from me not sure what is going on there either. I was not online last night at 1217 am I was in bed so then I guess they posted I got the message? I don't know what they are doing, I may have accidentally forgotten to unclick the remember me on this computer box. I guess they are just having some fun with me they sent a private message saying they think my picture is hot LOL

I in fact rec'd an email today that we are going to be going to computerized charting in the future, not sure exactly when but we now definatley need to integrate that into the room plan. Epic is the company and that is really all I know at this time.

Space!!! You need rooms big enough that you can fit your vent, IABP,swan cart and a stat cart in at one time. I get so annoyed when you can barely get around your equipment to defib someone. I like the idea of having stocked cupboards in the room with enough linen for a clean up, syringes, extra suction supplies,IV tubing etc on hand. Also a drawer with a universal lock that has basic resusc drugs in easy reach so you can start pushing drugs while someone else gets the cart.The CCU I work in doesn't have the space for these but MICU/SICU was recently remodeled and when I work up there it is so nice. So organized. They have a dirty room between each room with a hopper with a chest high splash shield, too. Good luck with your new unit!!! It is awesome that they are letting the nurses have input!!!

Reba