Ancient Perspective Creating a Healing Environment in the Icu

edge, those are not the only factors that influence patient recovery. This chapter focuses on the intensive care environment, examining how it can influence physiologic measures and the holistic needs of the patient and family. Other modalities (e.g., spirituality and prayer) that may enhance a healing environment for the patient are described in Chapter 9. Many designs of critical care units provide a cold and sterile environment in which to receive specialized care. This design fails to humanize the experience for the critical care patient and family. The term “critical care unit” invokes images of very ill patients surrounded by the latest in biomedical equipment, monitoring devices, and code carts. These images alone can raise feelings of anxiety and levels of stress in patients and families alike. The lack of foresight in designing critical care programs that encompass a pleasing physical design, integrate family presence, and offer complementary therapies leaves critical care patients and their families with less than an optimal environment in which to heal. The concept of environmental influences on healing has been known since Florence Nightingale (1970), a nursing leader, cared for soldiers of the Crimean War. New generations of critical care units are being designed to promote healing in a humanistic manner that can meet the holistic needs of patients and their families.