Exploring the Role of Nature Within Critical Care to Humanize the Intensive Care Unit Experience: Why Is Nature Not for Everyone?

For many populations, access to nature stimulates positive physical and psychological health benefits. However, there is minimal evidence exploring these benefits for patients, visitors, and staff in intensive care units (ICUs). It is the proposition of this article that the health benefits seen from access to nature are a product of a temperamental trait, according to the biophilia reactivity hypothesis. For some individuals, this hypothesis may support humanization and optimization of the ICU environment. A clinically adapted model is proposed in which nature and access to natural spaces fits within the humanization work in the ICU. In addition, clinical guidance is offered to support clinical teams in integrating nature into their departments using the 4Ps approach: population engagement, planning and maintenance, patient safety, and postoccupancy evaluation.