Nurse station of accident and emergency department, USM

Abstract

Every ward at any departments in hospital will have a nurse counter. Nurse counter or nurse station is a determined place for nurses to do their deskwork. Urgent phone calls and note writing, are among common activities done at the station. Sometimes, discussions and short meeting are also done at the nurse station. Despite the name, this workstation is also used by medical officers, even specialist when they need to sit and write. A usual set of computer and printers, as well as stationeries and telephone are placed at this station. Chairs are also provided. Files and forms are also available at the station. Some stations have both sitting and standing counters for nurses or medical officers to do their works. This objective of this study is to evaluate the current condition of nurse station at Red Zone of Accident and Emergency Department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Measurement of the nurse station was taken during the evaluation. The body postures of personnel at the counter were observed. The lighting at the station was also recorded. This study is needed because nurse station is an important part at Accident and Emergency Department. The evaluation result shows, this area was not given a fair attention despite its important. This study justified how the current condition of nurse station has been overlooked and immediate attention should be given in order to ensure better working condition at the station.