WHAT IS THE PATIENT UNIT? - MEDICINE - 2025

The patient unit is the combination of space, furniture and material for personal use available to patients during their stay in a hospital. Thus, there will be as many patient units as the number of beds are available.

In itself, an individual room, considering its content and physical space, is a “patient unit”. But if it is a room where there are several hospital beds, it is estimated that there will be as many patient units as there are beds in the room.

In these cases, each bed must be insulated by screens or curtains in order to preserve the privacy of the patients.

Patient unit types

The units differ according to the type of patient present.

Geriatric unit

They must be designed with elements that minimize the risk of elderly patients (non-slip floor, bars or grab handles on the walls).

Another important aspect to consider in the design is the breadth of the spaces and the accesses (room, bathroom) in order to allow the passage of wheelchairs, stretchers or others.

Pediatric unit

Its design and decoration must be sufficiently striking for children, using among other ornamental elements, cartoons and attractive colors.

Units with specific characteristics

It must be adapted to the characteristics of the care that corresponds to the patients. For example, obstetrics, intensive care, trauma, burns, etc.

Elements of a patient unit

A patient unit must respect minimum design and construction conditions such as:

-Height of about 2.5 m.

-Natural lighting, adequate ventilation. Variables such as temperature, humidity, soundproofing, lighting and ventilation are environmental conditions that influence the patient's response to treatment.

-Walls of light colors and without shine.

-Size enough to comfortably arrange the furniture and allow cleaning in the room. This size is estimated at about 10 square meters if it is a room for a single bed; 14 square meters if it is intended for two beds and 18 to 20 square meters if it is planned for three beds. In any case per room should not exceed 4 beds. The space between the bed and the wall should be 1 meter to 1.20 meters and that same measurement will be the distance between the bed and the bed. The purpose is to be able to attend the patient from the foot of the bed, as well as from the sides, as well as to allow the passage of a stretcher and the stretcher.

-Personal hygiene room equipped with a door that allows easy access.

-Internal communication system with the Nursing Room.

-Oxygen intake and vacuum intake at the head of the bed.

-The equipment of a patient unit must contain the following elements:

-Bed. This constitutes the central element. It must be in perfect conditions of cleaning and maintenance since it is the component of the unit that welcomes the patient. The bed must have free access on three of its sides, the sides and the foot. The headboard should be close to the wall but not under the window or too close to the door. In no case should the bed obstruct the passage to the room or the bathroom.

-The bed must be provided with:

-Mattress with cover made of waterproof, flame retardant, hypoallergenic and elastic material

-Side rails

-Pillow with cover

-Wheel

-Crank that allows to regulate its height.

-Support for serum or medication

-Table close to the patient so that he can access to have any object he needs.

-Adjustable height eating table designed in such a way that the patient can eat food comfortably while being semi-upright.

-Chair or armchair for the patient and, if space permits, for the companion.

-Rubbish bin with a plastic bag inside and located inside the bathroom.

-Other elements can be found such as: closet to store the patient's belongings or blankets, lamps, preferably fixed to the wall and screens if necessary.

-Materials of frequent use such as glass and jug for water, glass for oral hygiene as well as basins, specific containers for collecting feces and urine.

References

1. Alonso, G., & Escudero, JM. (2010). The emergency department short stay unit and the hospital at home as alternatives to standard inpatient hospitalization. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 33 (Suppl. 1), 97-106. Retrieved on December 9, 2017, from scielo.isciii.es
2. Ania Palacios, J., Silva Garcia, L., Junquera Velasco, C., & Alés Reina, M. (2004). Nursing Assistant for the Burgos Hospital Consortium (1st ed., Pp. 273-308). EDITORIAL MAD, SL
3. Guillamás, C., Gutiérrez E., Hernando A., Méndez MJ, Sánchez-Cascado, G., Tordesillas, L. (2015) The sick person's room (Hygiene of the hospital environment and cleaning of material). Training Cycles, Madrid: Editex.
4. Ledesma, M. del C. (2005). Nursing Fundamentals, Mexico: Limusa
5. Muiño Miguez, A.. (2002). Short Stay Medical Unit. Annals of Internal Medicine, 19 (5), 7-8. Retrieved on December 10, 2017, from scielo.isciii.es.