COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON HOSPITAL-BED MANAGEMENT BETWEEN ALL SINGLE-ROOM WARDS AND MIXED MULTI-BED ROOM WARDS

Abstract

This study describes the effect of all single-room wards onhospital-bed management and how it differs from mixed multi-bedroom wards from a case of redesigned hospital building. Surveys were conducted for 32 days by nurses in these two types of wards with a recordkeeping of each patient's bed location, patient's nursing need degrees, and the reasons of each patient-bed transfer. It showed that both types of wards have a tendency to place patients who need high level of nursing care, around the staff station. The study concludes that the all single-room wards reduce the number of patient-bed transfers especially based on patient's request for favorable therapeutic environment.