Research has shown that good design can impact length of stay (LOS), patient safety, and outcomes. Health Facilities Management published a round table discussion on Nursing Unit Planning and Design. Much of the discussion centered on traditional nursing units and how they're crowded, noisy and chaotic. In response to this there is a trend to moving caregivers closer to the patients. A number of the participants also indicated that their hospitals were moving to in-room computers.

It seems that technology could greatly reduce nursing unit noise. Wireless communications devices like phones or Vocera badges would eliminate much of the overhead pages and shouting down the hall that occurs now. A nurse carried alarm notification device would minimize device alarm noise at the central station central station and remote annunciators.

These changes in work patterns will have a major impact on medical device design, especially central stations. If nurses spend much less time at the nurses station, the operating costs for central stations will go up as monitor techs are hired to cover for absent caregivers.