Improvements in staff quality of work life and family satisfaction following the move to single-family room NICU design.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in staff quality of work life and parent satisfaction when a neonatal intensive care unit moved from an open-bay design to a single-room model of care.

DESIGN

This descriptive study measured staff quality of work life and family satisfaction before and at 2 time periods after the relocation of a perinatal centre and the introduction of single-family room care. Differences in work life quality and satisfaction were determined using 2-sample t-tests.

RESULT

There were improvements in staff quality of work life and family satisfaction at both time periods following the move.

CONCLUSION

Lessons learned may be of value to other units considering such a move. A neonatal intensive care unit designed to contribute to parental and staff well-being is a model to be considered for future neonatal designs.