Vicente Gómez  and Mónica Ferrero have published  the next article in the last number of Enfermería Intensiva.

Our friends and members of Proyecto HU-CI develop the concept of humanised infrastructure: and ICU that provides the best physical and environmental well-being for patients, professionals and families. Spaces that are functional, efficient, ergonomic, comfortable, warm and friendly… and take care of all users to enhance their experience.

Humanised infrastructure could have a good economical impact, besides the physical and psychological benefits for all: less errors, shorter ICU stays, less need of sedatives and to perhaps less time-off work, less costs of maintenance and cleaning and the main target: a greater satisfaction of the protagonists.

Privacy, well-being, orientation, communication, distraction and possibility of open spaces for patients; light/acoustic/thermal well-being and functionality for professionals, with spaces that respect their dignity; facilities and amenities for families, the great forgotten of the health care system.

Technology and humanization must go hand in hand in the construction and design of the new ICU, but we can redesign existing ones and we have to do it. To this end, the analysis of the situation is the first and fundamental step: a carefully study in each unit and see the virtues and shortcomings to establish priorities for action. And to carry out the humanization of infrastructure and architecture of hospitals, we need economic investment.

For this, usually the first thing we receive is a NOT, so we should rating measures that harmonize a low cost with an environmental impact and that can be acceptable by all the agents, and this will be the first point of turning towards a structure of H-ICU.

Therefore, we need organized dialogue between all: personal health from different tiers that suggest the solutions that help to improve their environment work; managers and policy makers that bet by change, seeking imaginative solutions and listening to the people involved without taking measures that do not suit the needs of bedside people; patients and family members who contribute their experiences and tips and with a experience that can help us improve.

We share point by point the last sentences of the editorial:

“We must not resign ourselves our ICU to be purely technical environments. A “hell” needed to survive. Let´s take the challenge of change. But let’s be practical. We should seek information through a sensible and realistic dialogue that allow to obtain solutions, perhaps initially not very violent, but which are milestones and from there, to share improvements of which boast and grow. “

Thus, we will begin to humanise our ICU in a coherent, functional and economically profitable way.”

Congratulations Vicente and Monica!

Happy Thursday,

Gabi