THE EFFECT OF CUBICLE NURSING ON REDUCING PATIENT READMISSION RATES IN HOSPITALS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Patient call bell frequency is an important indicator of nursing service quality as it reflects patient needs, the effectiveness of supervision, and nurses’ responsiveness. The Cubicle Nursing model a zonal-based care system in which nurses are responsible for a group of patients within a specific area is believed to reduce patient call frequency by enhancing physical proximity and therapeutic communication between nurses and patients. Purpose This literature review aims to identify and analyze research findings regarding the effects of the Cubicle Nursing or decentralized nursing system on reducing patient call frequency, improving nurse responsiveness, and enhancing patient satisfaction in hospitals. Methods: Articles were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, SAGE, and BMC databases between 2021 and 2025. Twenty selected studies were thematically analyzed under four major themes: (1) reduction in patient call frequency, (2) nurse responsiveness and work efficiency, (3) patient satisfaction and experience, and (4) nurses’ experiences regarding spatial and workflow changes. Results: Most studies revealed that Cubicle Nursing and decentralized nursing models reduced patient call frequency by 30–50%, improved nurses’ response times, and enhanced patient satisfaction. The integration of technologies such as bed-exit systems, motion sensors, and intentional rounding further strengthened these outcomes. Major challenges included nurse adaptation, inter-zone coordination workload, and changes in work culture. Conclusion: The Cubicle Nursing model is effective in improving nursing service quality by reducing patient call frequency, increasing efficiency, and enhancing patient satisfaction. Implementation in Indonesia requires organizational policy support, staff training, and integration of digital monitoring technologies.