Review of the literature: Acuity-adaptable patient room.

The acuity-adaptable patient room concept is an emerging care model in which a patient is cared for in the same room through discharge regardless of the patient level of acuity. Such transfer contributes to errors in communication, patient disorientation, dissatisfaction, and falls. In the acuity-adaptable patient room model, the varying levels of care are brought to the patient to eliminate or minimize these adverse outcomes. Comprehensive literature search was conducted through search engines, web pages of regulatory bodies, institution of authority and other disciplines, research, abstract presentations, and anecdotal reports as well as hand searches focusing on the outcomes of the acuity-adaptable patient room on patients. Forty eight articles were written presenting evidence of positive impact of the acuity-adaptable patient room on patients.