Designing the critical care unit

Planning for the physical facility of an ICU has not kept pace with the dramatic technologic improvements in the care of critically ill patients. Specific guidelines for planning of critical care units must be generated by combined input from physicians, nurses, and architects in order to avoid inconsistency of planning. Because most critical care is delivered in the community facility, planning must be directed toward this type of institution, and adapted as necessary for the university or research center. The 4-yr planning and building of a 40-bed critical care center is described for a community hospital.