Abstract

Mixed sex bays are a reality on most Emergency Assessment Units (EAU). However, they are controversial having recently been the focus of political and media attention.

We adapted a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire to seek the views of 1000 emergency admissions regarding mixed sex accommodation.

Of 1000 respondents, 925 (92%) had been in bays and 665 (66%) shared with the opposite sex. Most 579/665 (87%) were comfortable with this, 97% (966/1000) feeling there was sufficient level of privacy, all (1000/1000) felt they were given privacy when needed. When asked ‘‘given the nature and function of EAU would you be willing to share with the opposite sex if it meant a shorter stay?’’, 857 (86%) said yes.

Our study demonstrates that whilst single sex accommodation is ideal it is not the most important factor to most patients admitted to EAU.
[download-attachments container="div" style="list" dipslay_icon="1" display_count="1" display__size="0"]

References

1. Beasley C. 2007 Privacy and Dignity – A report by the Chief Nursing Officer into mixed sex accommodation in hospitals. Department of Health; P.1-21.
2. Bolton L, 2009. Hospitals still have mixed-sex wards. Evening News 24 online, [internet] 30 Jan. Available www.eveningnews24.co.uk. [Accessed 1 Feb 2009]
3. Duffin C, 2002. If you’re happy and you know it. Nursing Standard. 24 April. 16 (32) pp 12-3.
4. Alberti G 2007. Emergency Care Ten Years on. Reforming Emergency Care. 8178. Available at www.dh.gov.uk. [Accessed 1 Feb 2009]
5. Ashmore, S, Ruthuen, T, 2008. Clinical Audit: a guide. Nursing Management UK. Apr 15 (1). pp 18-22.
6. Hairon N, 2007. Improving patients’ privacy and dignity on mixed sex wards. Nursing Times, 22 May. 103 (21): pp 23-4.
7. Baillie L, 2008. Mixed Sex Wards and Patient Dignity: Nurses’ and Patients’ Perspectives. British Journal Nursing. 23 Oct. 17(19): pp 1220-5.
8. BBC News Channel 2006. Row over Mixed sex Hospital Wards. 23 November, BBC Home
9. Evans, L. 2007. Thumbs up for audits. World Irish Nursing. Oct. 15 (9): pp 35.
10. Beasley, C. 2007. Delivering clean and safe care: Introduction and for implementing saving lives. Department of Health. Available at www.dh.gov.uk. [Accessed 23 Feb 2009].
11. Collins K, 1999. Developing patient satisfaction questionnaires. Nursing Standard. 1 Dec. 14 (11): Pp 37-8.
12. Johnson A, 2009. Putting an end to mixed sex hospital accommodation. 28 Jan. Department of Health. Available at www.dh.gov.co.uk. [Accessed on 23 Feb 2009].
13. Lawrence J, 2008. Mixed Sex Wards: Pressure Grows To End Scandal. The Independent, 31 Jan. p 6.
14. Lawrence J, 2009. Fine threat over mixed sex wards. The Independent Online, [Internet] 29 Jan. Available at www.independant.co.uk. [Accessed 23 Feb 2009].
15. Lyall J 2007. Patients still lack privacy. Nursing Older People. Jan 18(12).
16. Smith, G, 2008. Trolleys pose problems. Nursing Times. 19 Aug. 104 (33): pp 12.
17. Sparrow A, 2009. Ministers failing to abolish mixed-sex wards, claim Tories. The Guardian Online, [Internet] 9 Jan. Available at www.guardian.co.uk. Accessed 23 Feb 2009
18. Staines R, 2008. Will we ever see the end of mixed wards? Nursing Times. 5 Feb. 104 (5).