Table 4 The Nurse Station Ergonomic Assessment Tool

Layout and location

1. The location of the nurse station is in accordance with the design of the section and in the centre of the patients’ rooms

2. The nurse station is not in the way of ward traffic

3. The nurse station is in a location where the entrance is visible

4. All patients can be directly observed and monitored from the nurse station

5. The nurse station is located to allow broadly equal access to all patients

6. The nurse station is located to allow good communication and easy access and view of the medication room

7. The nurse station is located to allow good communication and easy access to storage space for required medical equipment

Workspace

8. The charting space is embedded in the quiet part of the nurse station

9. There is adequate space for a charting system in the nurse station

10. The nurse station includes a separate space for secretarial activities

11. A separate space for group meetings is provided in or near the nurse station.

12. The nurse station includes a permanent space next to the charting desk for the medical records trolley

13. At the nurse station, there are drawers and shelves for keeping files, records, and medical forms

14. The height of the shelves and cabinets at the nurses’ station is easily accessible to nurses

15. In the nurse station, the placement of equipment such as cabinets, desks, monitors, nurse call system, etc. is appropriate

16. At the nurse station, equipment, items and fixtures that are used frequently are readily available

17. The dimensions of the nurse station are proportional to the space, facilities, equipment, and the number of nurses and physicians per shift

18. The nurse station allows a choice of working sitting or standing

Safety-Security

19. At critical times, staff can easily enter and exit the nurse station

20. Security measures are in place to prevent non-authorized people from entering the nurse station

21. The nurse station includes facilities to maintain the health and safety of nurses

22. A duct is used to cover all wires and cables in the nurse station

23. The furniture (shelves, counters, etc.) in the nurse station are securely fixed and suitable for the load they support

Environmental Conditions

24. There is correct lighting in the nurse station to perform tasks

25. Lighting is uniformly distributed at all points in the nurse station

26. An appropriate combination of yellow and white lights is used at the nurse station

27. The nurse station has a window to provide natural light

28. There is an acceptable sound level in the nurse station and its surrounding areas

29. The temperature of the nurse station is adjustable and maintained at a comfort level

30. There is an air conditioner system in the nurse station

31. The air conditioner system is effective

Counter

32. The design of the counter enables patients using a wheelchair to see and communicate with nurses

33. The counter surface dimension is sufficient for writing activities

34. The dimensions of the counter surface level are adequate for placing computer equipment and other necessary accessories

35. The counter surface edges are not sharp

36. The counter surface level is not rough

37. The light reflection over the surface is not bothering

38. Under the counter surface, there is enough space for nurses to move their feet

39. Nurses can rest their feet can rest on the floor or another support when sitting behind the counter

Chair

40. The seat height of chairs in the nurse station is easily adjustable

41. The chairs in the nurse station have armrests

42. The height of armrests can be adjusted

43. The dimensions of the armrests of the chairs in the nurse station provide good support for nurses’ forearms

44. The armrests of chairs in nurse station do not prevent the worker from approaching the work surface (desk, counter, etc.)

45. The chairs in the nurse station support the lower back

46. The backrest of chairs in nurse station support the upper extremities

47. The seat has an adjustable width and depth, to suit the nurses’ anthropometric features

48. The frontal edge of the seat is not sharp

49. The seat cover is anti-perspiration and prevents nurses from slipping forward

50. The chairs of nurse station have strong legs

51. There are swivel chairs in the nurse station

52. There are enough chairs at the nurse station

Desk

53. There is a charting desk at the nurse station

54. The design of the charting desk provides workspace for several nurses

55. The height of desks at nurse station (computer desk/charting desk) is appropriate for the forearm height in sitting position

56. The dimensions of the computer desk at the nurse station are suitable for placing the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.

57. The edges of desks at the nurse station are not sharp

58. The surfaces of desks (computer desk, charting desk) are not bothering

59. Light reflection from the desk surface (computer desk, charting desk) is not bothering

60. Under the surface of desks at nurse station (computer desk, charting desk), there is enough space for nurses to place and move their feet

61. While sitting behind desks at nurse station (computer desk, charting desk), the nurses’ feet are supported by the ground or a footrest

Monitor

62. The computer monitor can be placed in an appropriate distance from the nurse

63. The monitor is directly in front of the user

64. To prevent light reflection, the monitor is perpendicular to the window or light sources vertically