Health Care Facility Layout
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CHAPTER FIVE
FACILITY LAYOUT
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henever an existing facility is renovated or a new facility designed, the chance exists to develop a layout that will improve process flow and minimize wasted space. When a new facility is designed, the facility layout should be integrated into the architectural design. Limitations on building lot size and shape, however, may heavily influence the layout configurations available. In other situations, a new layout is achieved simply by renovating an existing area, in which case the size and shape of the area are set, and the limitations relate to the funds available. Planning facility layout is important for many reasons. The amount of capital invested in new construction or renovation is usually substantial. The results are long-term: while minor modifications may be possible, the overall layout will last well into the future. Furthermore, layout has an enormous effect on daily operations. Not only does layout dictate the distance a patient must travel from one department to another; it also influences which staff members are likely to interact and communicate. The basic goals in developing a facility layout should be functionality and cost savings. Functionality includes placing the necessary departments, such as the operating and recovery rooms, close together. Functionality also includes keeping apart those departments which should not be together. Overall, functionality includes aspects of a layout which may not be immediately quantifiable, such as facilitating communication and improving staff morale.
102
Facility Layout
103
Cost savings include reduction in travel times between areas, reduced construction costs by minimizing the space required, and allowing for reduced staffing by placing similar job functions close together. Two key elements of these goals are saving space and reducing the travel distance and time between departments. The amount of space allocated to a given department often is set by factors
CHAPTER FIVE
FACILITY LAYOUT
W
henever an existing facility is renovated or a new facility designed, the chance exists to develop a layout that will improve process flow and minimize wasted space. When a new facility is designed, the facility layout should be integrated into the architectural design. Limitations on building lot size and shape, however, may heavily influence the layout configurations available. In other situations, a new layout is achieved simply by renovating an existing area, in which case the size and shape of the area are set, and the limitations relate to the funds available. Planning facility layout is important for many reasons. The amount of capital invested in new construction or renovation is usually substantial. The results are long-term: while minor modifications may be possible, the overall layout will last well into the future. Furthermore, layout has an enormous effect on daily operations. Not only does layout dictate the distance a patient must travel from one department to another; it also influences which staff members are likely to interact and communicate. The basic goals in developing a facility layout should be functionality and cost savings. Functionality includes placing the necessary departments, such as the operating and recovery rooms, close together. Functionality also includes keeping apart those departments which should not be together. Overall, functionality includes aspects of a layout which may not be immediately quantifiable, such as facilitating communication and improving staff morale.
102
Facility Layout
103
Cost savings include reduction in travel times between areas, reduced construction costs by minimizing the space required, and allowing for reduced staffing by placing similar job functions close together. Two key elements of these goals are saving space and reducing the travel distance and time between departments. The amount of space allocated to a given department often is set by factors