Content Update: HPU 360 Intensive Care Unit

An updated revision of HPU 360 Intensive Care Unit (Revision 8.0, October 2025) has been uploaded to the AusHFG website. The revised version has been informed by extensive consultation with clinical, operational and technical experts, health infrastructure specialists, consumer representatives as well as the Australian and New Zealand College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) and the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN).

Key changes to the document include: ​

• ICU design updated from the previous recommendation of 100% enclosed bedrooms to the provision of a proportion of open bays for patients with an anticipated short admission and no infection risk. Interconnecting doors between pairs of enclosed rooms may also be considered. Both options require case-by-case evaluation against the proposed model of care, workforce arrangements, infection prevention and control considerations and cost implications.
• Pendant configuration updated to include an optional third (foot) pendant in ICUs depending on the range of services provided. For example, services providing ECMO may benefit from a foot pendant to support femoral access and connection to relevant equipment, particularly in tertiary or retrieval centres.
• Updated telehealth section including consideration of overbed camera usage, where permitted by jurisdictions, along with the integration of additional ICU telehealth guidelines.
• Updated overall guidance on dialysis services in the ICU, covering common dialysis modalities, design implications, and general strategies to support safe and effective infrastructure and key strategies to mitigate biofilm accumulation in dialysis pipework.
• Recommendation that ICU dialysis modalities, including Intermittent Haemodialysis (IHD), Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis (SLED), Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), are supported by a standardised wall panel with detailed connection guidance.
• Recommended waiting area sizes increased across all scenarios to address peak-time overcrowding and visitor overflow.
• The number of interview rooms in larger ICUs reduced due to underuse and frequent repurposing as overflow waiting areas.
• Overnight rooms are noted as optional and may be located within the ICU, elsewhere in the facility, or nearby, depending on local policy and equity of access. A multipurpose family/visitor lounge with shower and toilet is included to support families, replacing or supplementing limited overnight rooms.
• Recommended reduction in the allocations of bathrooms and ensuites in line with benchmarking and insights from recently delivered projects.

A thank you is extended to all those who have contributed to the review and update of this document.

Kind Regards,

The AusHFG Team