Bringing the single versus multi-patient room debate to vulnerable patient populations: a systematic review of the impact of room types on hospitalized older people and people with neurological disorders

Abstract

Single-patient rooms are commonly recommended in acute hospital environments. People with neurological disorders, and those who are older, have complex clinical presentations requiring support and recovery for physical, cognitive, and social consequences of their brain injury, and/or chronic health problems. It is currently unknown what type of patient room, or what physical characteristics in such rooms, might be most desirable for the recovery of such people. We explored how hospital single-patient rooms are similar to or different from multi-bed rooms, and how the impact of room type has been measured in this group of people. A systematic mixed studies review was conducted to interrogate ..