gonurseman

Has anyone worked in an ICU where the unit is zoned (i.e. red/green/yellow) where patient placement is based on diagnosis, criticality of illness, safety risk and stability of patients? Where sicker patients and fall-risk patients are closer to the nursing station, and stable/transfer/observation patients are further away from the nursing station, allowing for a quieter sleep environment? Do you cluster neuro/stroke patients away from cardiac patients? Just looking for input on how your organization works and any input you may have with a zoned ICU based on said factors. Does it improve patient satisfaction? Does it reduce falls?

I was curious how your ICU's control the flow of visitors on your unit. Do you have them register at a desk? Do you use nametags or access cards to limit visitors in a room? Do you use a security code and primary sponsor to disseminate information about a patient to the rest of the family? Do you limit visitation at night?