Evaluating risk related factors of bed layout in a Critical Care Unit

Previous work undertaken by the authors has described a risk simulation system which predicts levels of risk occurring within a Critical Care Unit. Within this work specific dependencies were identified between the physical arrangement of bed spaces within the active clinical area and factors of competency sharing, supervision and distraction. In addition, a method was established based on Fuzzy logic to derive levels of interaction of these parameters between specific bed spaces based on physical separation and relationships between active bed spaces. The risk model also identifies the desirability of maximizing the time spent by clinical workers within the active clinical area. This method is described as a component of a generic tool for risk reduction in clinical work spaces.