Abstract
Permanent floor-mounted “bollards” have been installed in three Intensive Care Areas in the Oxford Teaching Hospitals. Each brings services to one bed and, because access around the head is greatly improved in comparison with the conventional arrangement with the head next to the wall, facilitates both emergency and routine care and improves the safety of the working environment for staff and patients. Differences between the bollards installed in the three units are described and the advantages and disadvantages of each discussed. It is concluded that a bollard should be located to the left of the head of the bed and that it should be about 1100 mm high and 500 mm square. At least two oxygen and vacuum outlets, one air outlet, six electric power sockets and connections for monitoring cables should be provided on the bollard with further power sockets on the adjacent wall. A length of equipment rail mounted across the head of the bed supports the suction equipment required for oral and respiratory tract care and storage space is provided on and below the work surface which is mounted on the wall behind the head of the bed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Cesarano FL, Piergeorge AR (1979) The spaghetti syndrome: a new clinical entity. Crit Care Med 7:182
Edwards R, Richardson JC, Ashworth PM (1965) Experience with an intensive-care ward. Lancet 1:855
English ICW, Manley REW (1970) The Brompton system of artificial ventilation: a scheme for the intensive care unit. Anaesthesia 25:541
Hayes B (1974) Equipping the Intensive Care Unit. In: British health care and technology: intensive care. Health and Social Service Journal/Hospital International, London, p 25
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Chapter 37 (1976) Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, p 3
Hercus V, Johnston JB, Rollison RAA, Hackett RE (1964) The place of a respiratory unit in a General Hospital. Lancet 1:1265
Khanam T, Branthwaite MA, English ICW, Prentis JJ (1973) The control of pulmonary sepsis in intensive care units: a study at the Brompton Hospital, London. Anaesthesia 28:17
Le Roux BT, Ormonde NWH, Servant WO (1968) A pedestal designed to facilitate intensive care. Thorax 23:686
Morrison D (1983) A very strange bed. Intensive Care Med 9:44
O'Brien JF (1978) Hospital-designed support system offers top efficiency, accessibility. Hospitals 52:85
Pearson DT (1974) Intensive care of post operative cardiac surgical patients. In: British health care and technology: intensive care. Health and Social Service Journal/Hospital International, London, p 54
Petfield BG (1974) The Royal Victoria Infirmary Intensive Care Unit, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In: British health care and technology: intensive care. Health and Social Service Journal/Hospital International, London, p 21
Piergeorge AR, Cesarano FL, Casanova DM (1983) Designing the critical care unit: a multidisciplinary approach. Crit Care Med 11:541
Pope R (1974) A nurse's view of i. t. u. design and equipment. Med Biol Eng 12:156
Ryan DW, Copeland PF, Miller J, Freeman R (1982) Replanning of an intensive therapy unit. Br Med J 2:1634
Spencer GT, Smith S (1966) Intensive therapy unit: Mead Ward, St. Thomas's Hospital. Nursing Times 62:1519
Traska MR (1978) Patient services cube and redesigned floor plant provide access to patients. Mod Health Care 8:38
von der Mosel HA (1977) Common mistakes in planning intensive care units. Hosp Eng 22:11
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kerr, J.H., Coates, D.P. & Gale, L.B. Use of “bollards” to improve patient access during intensive care. Intensive Care Med 11, 33–38 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256063
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256063