Abstract
An exploratory, qualitative study conducted on 6 units in 4 hospitals featured field observations of 20 experienced nurses during complete 12-hour day and night shifts, followed by semistructured participant interviews. All patient rooms featured conventional headwall-type life support systems in which the head of the bed is against the wall where multiple electrical, gas, and communication utilities are located. Critical care nurses displayed repetitive movement patterns around the patient and the bed. Movement patterns observed varied according to room size, availability of supplies, and positions of fixed and/or mobile equipment, along with types and locations of documentation computers.