Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
C Fung(1), T Yu(2), SL Tang(1), CM Hui(1), WY Chung(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Intensive Care Unit, United Christian Hospital, (2) Audio Visual Team, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Creating a positive clinical environment in ICU is essential because ICU patients are exposed to a stressful environment, which not only affecting their psychosocial status but also exert negative impacts on healing and recovery. Bedsides, ICU is also a challenge workplace for staffs. However, in UCH ICU, the windowless design with white walls exacerbated the feelings of desolation and anxiety. Studies indicated that viewing natural scenes, such as landscape, trees, flowers and blue sky provided visual stimulation, positive distraction and evoke feelings of calmness and relaxation. To improve the ICU environment, wall stickers of virtual windows with natural scenes were installed at patient’s bedside and ceiling. It provided a calm, soothing and supportive atmosphere to relieve stress and anxiety among patients, as well as staffs in ICU. Also, the wall sticker is easy to apply and remove. It does not require regular maintenance and is safe to use at clinical area.
Objectives :
(1)To promote a positive environment in the ICU that reduces stress for both patients and staffs.
(2)To enhance the satisfaction levels regarding patient care and staff workplace experience.
Methodology :
A literature review showed that introducing wall decor with natural scenes can significantly transform and create a more engaging and supportive environment for patients and staffs. Collaboration with UCH Audio and Visual Team, they provided a professional design of the stickers and locations of installation to maximized the visual effect for patients. Landscape photo was chosen for the staff resting area to enhance the feeling of relaxation and images of local flowering trees near UCH and sky view were chosen for clinical area to enhance the familiarity and relieving stress for patients.
Result & Outcome :
Stickers were installed in ICU clinical area including three isolation rooms and staffs rest room. Patients showed appreciation with positive comments on the stickers, as well as the ward environment. ICU staffs also feel pleased and satisfied with the working environment. For further enhancement, wall stickers with different natural scenes are planned to be changed for every 2-3 years to refresh and sustain the positive environment.
