Percepción del profesional de enfermería sobre la estructura física de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos adultos. Hospital General de Luque, Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: The study addresses the perception of nursing professionals regarding the physical structure of the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the General Hospital of Luque, Paraguay, in 2025.  Objective: Determine how they assess the distribution of spaces, infrastructure, and environmental conditions within the unit. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional design was applied, with data collected through a structured digital questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables and a Likert-type scale to evaluate perceptions. The sample consisted of the entire nursing staff of the ICU. Results: The results revealed that most of the staff were young, predominantly female, and held undergraduate nursing degrees. Critical perceptions were identified regarding bed distribution, equipment organization, and environmental conditions, highlighting deficiencies in lighting, ventilation, and noise control. In contrast, more favorable evaluations were observed concerning the location of the nursing station and the availability of basic resources. Conclusion: It is concluded that the current physical structure presents limitations that impact work efficiency and care safety, emphasizing the need to implement improvements in the ICU’s infrastructure and spatial organization.