The role of physical design and informal communication

CHAPTER 3
RESULTS
3.1 Organizational Ecology of the Nursing Unit
Field observation, focused interviews with staff members, and survey results were
analyzed to obtain an understanding of the organizational ecology of 6N. The system
was analyzed from three perspectives: Physical layout, Information Management &
Technology, and Organization & Unit Culture.
3.1.1 Physical Layout
The physical layout of the nursing unit can be described as a traditional
centralized design where patient rooms are wrapped around a central core service area
(Figure 3). Three large, rectangular desks, represented by Desk B1, are situated at the
entry to the unit and are equipped with computers and telephones (Figures 4 and 5).
These desks are primarily used by doctors for charting and making phone calls.
Nurses and allied health staff also sit here to document. Behind these desks is a large
island work surface at standing-height where nurses stand to do charting, represented
by A1 (Figure 6). This is also a common place for nurses to gather for “report,”
otherwise known as handoff which occurs at the end of one shift and the beginning of
another. The patient charts are located at this island on a large, tall rotating chart
carousel. At the back of the unit is Desk B2 which is home to the charge nurse and the
unit receptionist – two staff members who must work closely together (Figure 7).
Since the unit takes on overflow patients from cardiology, Desk C has been designated
the telemetry station where a staff member sits and monitors patients’ heart activity on
computer screens (Figure 8).
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