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. 2014 Dec 1;4(4):487-510.
doi: 10.3390/bs4040487.

Network of spaces and interaction-related behaviors in adult intensive care units

Mahbub Rashid  1 , Diane K Boyle  2 , Michael Crosser  3
Affiliations

Network of spaces and interaction-related behaviors in adult intensive care units

Mahbub Rashid et al. Behav Sci (Basel). .

Abstract

Using three spatial network measures of "space syntax", this correlational study describes four interaction-related behaviors among three groups of users in relation to visibility and accessibility of spaces in four adult intensive care units (ICUs) of different size, geometry, and specialty. Systematic field observations of interaction-related behaviors show significant differences in spatial distribution of interaction-related behaviors in the ICUs. Despite differences in unit characteristics and interaction-related behaviors, the study finds that when nurses and physicians "interact while sitting" they prefer spaces that help maintain a high level of environmental awareness; that when nurses "walk" and "interact while walking" they avoid spaces with better global access and visibility; and that everyone in ICUs "walk" more in spaces with higher control over neighboring spaces. It is argued that such consistent behavioral patterns occur due to the structural similarities of spatial networks over and above the more general functional similarities of ICUs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The 8-bed ICU-B.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The 12-bed ICU-A.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The 14-bed ICU-C.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The 16-bed ICU-D.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The basic concept of the axial map analysis: (a) A floor layout and its axial map; (b) The justified graph of axial line-1 shows that in order to get to all other axial lines from this line at least three steps are needed; (c) The justified graph of axial line-2 shows that in order to get to all other axial lines from this line only two steps are needed.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The basic concept of the node network analysis: (a) A floor layout and its functional spaces with their connections; (b) The justified graph of space-1 shows that in order to get to all other spaces from this space at least four steps are needed; (c) The justified graph of space-5 shows that in order to get to all other spaces from this space only three steps are needed.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Total interaction-related behaviors per observation among nurses observed in different space in the four units.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Total interaction-related behaviors per observation among physicians in different space in the four units.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Total interaction-related behaviors per observation among others in different space in the four units.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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