Abstract:
Arguably, the only thing more troubling than the physical effects of COVID-19 is the way it has
threatened our perception of safety in everyday life. This is especially true in clinical workplaces,
as clinicians are the gateway to treatment and recovery not only from COVID-19, but from a
variety of other disasters as well.
This study aimed to answer the following questions: Have providers made modifications
to the furniture or furniture layout in the inpatient workspace? What modifications have been
made? Do any modifications in furniture pieces or furniture layout affect the perception or
feeling of safety in the inpatient workspace?
An anonymous survey was distributed through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
(AMSN) network of over 13,000 members. Participants were asked if their clinical workspace
has incorporated any changes in furniture placement (such as re-distribution or spreading out), or
furniture pieces (such as screens or additional sanitization stations) as a result of COVID-19,
followed by a series of questions about how these changes impacted their feeling of safety.
Results yielded the following design criteria: flexibility is key; as real estate is shrinking,
clinicians want more space; safety needs to be made visible; the importance of equitable access
to resources; and perceived safety is a business driver for healthcare organizations. This study begins to form the foundation of why this research is critical: perceived safety
of the clinical workforce is imperative to maintaining a robust healthcare system in the United
States that is capable of handling future pandemics and other disasters.
