Reprinted from the 2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, just released by the Facility Guidelines Institute and AIA with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is this new section on documentation space in critical care units.

3.4.2.4 Support areas for critical care units. The following shall be provided for all types of critical care units unless otherwise noted . . .

(2) Documentation and information review spaces. Space shall be provided within the unit to accommodate the recording of patient information.

(a) The documentation space shall be located within or adjacent to the patient bed space. It shall include countertop that will provide for a large flow sheet typical of critical care units and a computer monitor and keyboard. There shall be one documentation space with seating for each patient bed.
(b) There shall be a specifically designated area within the unit for information review located to facilitate concentration.

Appendix
A3.4.2.4 (2) The requirements for documenting patient information by providers have become substantial and continue to grow. A growing number of providers and others review patient records in critical care units. Confidentiality of patient information is important. Computers are increasingly used to meet these expectations.

a. Separate areas need to be designed for the unit secretary and staff charting. Planning should consider the potential volume of staff (both medical and nursing) that could be present at any one time and translate that to adequate charting surfaces.
b. The secretarial area should be accessible to all. However, the charting areas may be somewhat isolated to facilitate concentration.
c. Storage for chart forms and supplies should be readily accessible.
d. Space for computer terminals and printer and conduit for computer hookup should be provided when automated information systems are in use or planned for the future.
e. Patient records should be readily accessible to clerical, nursing, and physician staff.

A3.4.2.4 (2)(a). Documentation space. The countertop area should be a minimum of 8 square feet (0.74 square meters). If a documentation space is to serve two patient beds, it should be a minimum of 10 square feet (0.93 square meters).

A3.4.2.4 (2)(b). Information review space. There should be a minimum of 8 square feet (0.74 square meters) of countertop and seating to accommodate two people for every five patient beds it serves.

Copyright 2006 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page