16
Quality of the environment
The quality of the built external and internal environment of hospitals not
only has an impact on the wellbeing of the care providers, but also on the
healing process and behavior of patients. This has been shown by the many
studies that have been carried out in this field in recent years.
The results of these studies have led to increased attention being paid to the
psychological impact of environmental aspects of healthcare institutions,
including hospitals. In addition, attention is increasingly being focused on the
role of the patient in healthcare.
Studies have shown that the well-being of patients and visitors is promoted
by an environment that:
·is easy to reach and where everything can be clearly found: for example a
clearly recognizable main entrance and good signposting inside the building;
·is comfortable and increases autonomy. The use of materials, colour and
art play a role here;
·promotes the relationship with nursing staff: for example by the right
location of the nursing station
on a ward and the presence of an adequate nurse call system;
·provides confidence and privacy, both visually (for example no undesirable
views from the corridor)
and acoustically (for example by use of sound absorbent materials and
locating mainly quiet
functions next to patient rooms);
·pays attention to relatives: for example facilities for visitors such as chairs
in patient rooms,
possibilities for rooming in (children’s ward) and resting facilities should the
presence of relatives be
necessary outside visiting hours;
·provides contact with the outside world: for example by making means of
communication available
(radio, tv, telephone) and providing a clear view outside;
·is safe, secure and bright: for example by ensuring that sufficient daylight
can penetrate, by using non-institutional furnishings and lighting and
avoiding long, obscure corridors.
Spatial relationships (Functional relationships)
The demands placed on spatial relationships between the different
components of a hospital in the architectural design are based on two
elements. On the one hand requirements are formulated that are derived from
medical and logistic factors that are independent of the chosen
organizational form of the hospital. On the other hand, the spatial
relationships are determined by the organization of the hospital
It may be necessary to lay down proximity requirements for different parts of a
hospital on the basis of medical or logistic arguments. These requirements are
based on the different activities taking place in a hospital and are separate from the
requirements that can be formulated on the basis of the organization of the hospital.
These activities are not dependent on the organizational form of the hospital.
Requirements based on medical arguments concern primary proximity
requirements that are laid down because fast transport is essential in the interests
of the patient. A primary proximity requirement is complied with if there is a direct
link in a horizontal or vertical sense between two function groups or departments
of a hospital. Use can be made here of a lift with pre-selected control. A primary
link of this kind is essential between on the one hand the emergency unit and
on the other hand the operating unit, the imaging diagnostics unit and the
location where emergency treatment is given to heart patients.
A primary link is also necessary between the operating unit and the intensive
care and obstetric units.
Proximity requirements as a consequence of logistic factors are based on the
volume of patient, personnel or goods traffic between the different elements that
form the hospital. The proximity requirements arising from this aspect are
subordinate to the primary proximity requirements based on medical factors. It is
worth recommending that the facilities to be used by outpatients should be
situated so as to be easily reachable in relation to each other. This
particularly concerns the outpatient appointments desk, facilities for organ
function investigations, the hospital laboratory and the imaging diagnostics
unit. Requirements can also be laid down in connection with the volume of
goods transport. As a rule, the operating unit and the central sterilizing services
unit are usually located so as to make them easily reachable from each other.
On the basis of the type of organization, spatial requirements can be formulated
between the different components of the organizational units and between these
units themselves. The relationship requirements arising from the organizational
form are subordinate to the primary relationships formulated above. It is worth
recommending, for the sake of cohesion, that the chosen organizational form
should be expressed in the spatial structure.
HOSPITAL REQUIREMENTS
设计理念