Stress: Medicine and Clinic / Health Unit Space Essay

Submitted By macharette
Words: 904
Pages: 4

OVERVIEW
The Clinic/Health Unit space types are facilities where outpatient ambulatory health services are provided. Sub-space types, such as office spaces, private toilets, and filing and storage areas are included.
This space type does not include provisions for invasive surgery, in-patient services, medical diagnostic categories I, II, and III equipment (including exam lights and medical gas systems), radiological diagnostic services (including special structural elements and radiation shielding on ceiling and floor areas), darkroom revolving door systems, or medical laboratory spaces. Clinics where general anesthesia, invasive procedures, or overnight care are provided require Institutional Occupancy construction types and are not included.
See Health Care, Hospital, Nursing Home, Outpatient Clinic, and Psychiatric Facility for more information about inpatient and specialized care facilities.
SPACE ATTRIBUTES
The Clinic/Health Unit space type should provide a sanitary and therapeutic environment in which patients can be treated by medical practitioners quickly and effectively. Typical features of clinic/health unit space types include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles below.
Accessible
* All areas should comply with the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, if federally funded or owned, with the GSA's ABA Accessibility Standards. For more information, see WBDG Accessible Branch and Comply with Accessibility Requirements(historic facilities).
Functional / Operational * Cleanliness and Sanitation: The cleanliness of a facility is not only related to a patient's medical recovery, but can also affect the perceived level of care. To maintain a sanitary environment, spaces should be easy to clean and maintain. Use durable finishes and sterile/antimicrobial surfaces as necessary. For more information, see WBDG Therapeutic Environments. * Occupancy: The occupancy classification for the Clinic/Health Unit space type is Business Occupancy B2, with sprinklered protected construction and GSA Acoustical Class C2.
Productive
* Efficiency and Flexibility: The layout of the Clinic/Health Unit should promote prompt and reliable medical attention. Relationship and flow diagrams created at the beginning of the design process will ensure a sensible programming of space. Office support spaces such as workrooms, file rooms, copier areas, coat storage, and lockers typically will be integrated into the clinic environment. Flexibility must also be a basic feature of any health care facility to keep it from rapid obsolescence in the face of changing needs and technologies. * Acoustic and Visual Privacy: The new HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act) regulations address the security and privacy of "protected health information" (PHI). These regulations put new emphasis on acoustic and visual privacy, and may affect location and layout of workstations that handle medical records and other patient information-both paper and electronic-as well as patient accommodations. Flow diagrams created in the beginning of the design process should address controlled access areas.
Secure / Safe * Emergency Backup Systems: Typically, this space type will require emergency battery backup for 25% of lighting. Refer to individual utility requirements for specific medical equipment.
Example Program
The following building program is representative of Clinic/Health Unit spaces.
HEALTH UNIT Description
Tenant Occupiable Areas | Qty. | SF Each | Space Req'd. | Sum Actual SF | Tenant Usable Factor | Tenant USF | Entry Lobby | | | | 240 | | | Waiting | 1 | 120 | 120 | | | | Reception/Registration | 1 | 60 | 60 | | | | Payee Window | 1 | 60 | 60 | | | | General Patient Care |