An Exploration of the Nightstand and Over-the-Bed Table in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital

Abstract

Objective: This study seeks to determine where patients in a rehabilitation hospital keep the greatest percentage of their belongings, that is, in/on the nightstand or on the over-the-bed table. Background: This study provides an inventory of patient items located on the over-the-bed table and in/on the nightstand. Understanding the functions of furnishings within the patient room is key for future preparation for designing a next-generation over-the-bed table or for redesigning a more useful nightstand. Methods: The contents on the top of the nightstand; the contents in the top, middle, and bottom drawers of the nightstand; items next to the nightstand; and the contents on the over-the-bed table within patient rooms were inventoried and placed into categories using similar, patient item categories as the Brooks et al. (2011) study, which examined the contents of the nightstand and the over-the-bed table in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Results: Overall, patients in a rehabilitation hospital had a greater percentage of their belongings on the top of the nightstand as compared to their belongings located in all three combined drawers of the nightstand. Overall, patients had a greater percentage of their belongings located on the over-the-bed table as compared to their belongings located on the nightstand. Conclusions: Tabletop surface area was used extensively in patient rooms at a rehabilitation hospital, but nightstand drawers were underutilized.