ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
900 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila, 1000

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 5

RESEARCH: GENERAL HOSPITAL

Bautista, Elisha Ephraim R.

AR 303 – 40133 - 40134

Ar. Danilo Gonzales

GENERAL HOSPITAL
A general hospital is a type of medical facility where patients can receive a broad range of
services and treatments. These hospitals usually provide both inpatient and outpatient care,
and they are well-equipped to address a wide range of medical crises and diseases. Many
medical specialties, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology,
psychiatry, and more, have departments and specialty units within general hospitals.

The word "general" suggests that these hospitals strive to offer the community a wide range
of healthcare services rather than being specialists in any one area of medicine or therapy.
General hospitals provide a range of medical, surgical, and diagnostic services to patients of
all ages, and are frequently the main hubs for both routine and emergency medical care.
They might also function as teaching hospitals, providing instruction and training to medical
personnel.

SAMPLE LAYOUT
DESIGN TRENDS
1. WARMER AND INVITING INTERIOR
HOSPITAL ROOMS
- In order to promote that "home" feeling,
more healthcare facilities are putting headwalls and
bedside furnishings in place. The intention is to
minimize the older, institutional appearance while
promoting patient comfort. Research has
demonstrated that the inside and exterior of a
hospital can have a significant impact on the healing process.

2. CUSTOMIZED PATIENT ROOMS

- Research has indicated that the additional facilities increase patients' trust in the
quality of care they receive. Personalized rooms raise their degree of comfort right
away. With the average duration of stay in a hospital is six days, a patient-centered
approach such as this is important.

3. MAXIMIZE SPACE AND ROOM FUNCTIONALITY WITH MULTIPURPOSE FURNITIRE

- When a hospital room is small, there is multipurpose furniture that can aid. Both
sleeper sofas and recliners can help patients and guests make the most of their little
area.

Family members can stay in the room for support and carry on with their daily
routines thanks to a sleeper sofa and table. It also guarantees enough room for family
members to stay.

4. INTRODUCE COLOR TO ENHANCE A POSITIVE DISTRACTION

- Designs with little visual clutter can lessen visitor, staff, and patient stress.

5. LIGHTING DESIGN STRATEGIES

- Suggests "indirect or integrated architectural lighting to avoid the harsh effect created
by direct down lighting." Establishing a soothing environment benefits both
employees and patients.

6. HI – TECH WAITING ROOMS

- A mobile device's charge is something that everyone has to do. Many hospitals are
discovering that the addition of furniture—like end tables with outlets and USB
 ports—increases patient and visitor satisfaction. Additionally, some establishments
are become "smarter" by installing check-in kiosks in the waiting areas.

7. MORE PRIVATE AND INTIMATE SETTINGS OF WAITING ROOMS

- Hospitals are adopting innovative approaches to patient experience. Trends in design
are moving from cold, impersonal styles to cozier, more welcoming styles.
More private areas are used in these designs so that guests and patients can wait in
comfort.
The days of endless rows of seats with people sitting down occasionally are long gone.

8. INTEGRATE NATURE TO PUT PATIENTS AT EASE

- Studies show that brightness and the natural world generally help patients feel more
at peace. In rare circumstances, it may even hasten their healing.
9. WELCOME PATIENTS AND VISITORS WITH OUTDOOR DESIGN
- Created a building and site layout that kept the area looking like a park. The idea of a
"sculpture in a park" informed the design of the rehabilitation facility. Gardens and
green spaces are valued by staff, visitors, and patients alike.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
As part of standard professional practice, a hospital and other healthcare facilities must be
planned and developed in accordance with applicable codes, proper architectural techniques,
and functional programming.
The following are crucial considerations while making plans for healthcare facilities:

1. ENVIRONMENT: The location of a hospital and other health facilities must be such
that they are easily accessible to the community and that they are reasonably free
from excessive noise, smoke, dust, foul odors, floods, and railroads. They also cannot
be situated next to freight yards, playgrounds for children, airports, industrial plants,
or disposal facilities.

2. OCCUPANCY: A hospital cannot be erected inside a structure intended for another

use. Every municipal zoning rule must be complied with by the hospital's site.

3. SAFETY: For the benefit of patients, staff, and the general public, a hospital and other
healthcare institutions must provide and maintain a safe atmosphere. The structure
must be constructed in a way that eliminates any risks to the lives and well-being of
patients, staff, and members of the public. It must be able to endure the weight and
environmental conditions that they may encounter.
 Only doors that lead directly outside the building, inside stairs, ramps, and external
stairs are permitted as exits.
For every story of the building, there should be a minimum of two (2) separate exits.
Exits must end immediately at a public area outside the structure.

4. SECURITY: People and property must be kept safe within hospitals and other
healthcare facilities.

5. PATIENT MOBILITY: Areas must have sufficient width to allow patients to move
freely, whether they are in wheelchairs, stretchers, or beds. There must always be
open, unfettered circulation for moving patients from one location to another.

The minimal width of a corridor for patient and equipment access is 2.44 meters.
Corridor widths may be lowered to 1.83 meters in places where beds, stretchers, and
equipment are not frequently transported.
The upper floor's ancillary, clinical, and nursing areas must have access to an elevator
or ramp.
The hospital's entrance, which is not on the same level as the site, must have access
via a ramp.

6. LIGHTING: In order to support patient comfort, healing, and recovery as well as staff
performance, all locations in hospitals and other healthcare facilities must have
enough lighting.

7. VENTILATION: Sufficient ventilation must be offered to guarantee the comfort of

patients, staff, and the general public.

8. AUDITORY AND VISUAL PRIVACY: In order to meet the requirements for both
acoustical and visual privacy in specific areas and for the unhindered conduct of
activities, hospitals and other health institutions must maintain an appropriate sound
level and sufficient visual seclusion.

9. WATER SUPPLY: When a public water supply system is provided, hospitals and other
healthcare facilities must use it. The water supply must be sufficient, potable, and
safe to consume. It must also enter the structure without any cross connections.
10. TRASH DISPOSAL: Solid trash must be gathered, processed, and disposed of in
compliance with all relevant laws and ordinances. Liquid waste must always be
dumped into a public sewerage system that has been approved.

11. SANITATION: To guarantee a clean and healthy environment, utilities for the upkeep
of sanitary systems, such as authorized water supplies and sewage systems, shall be
supplied through the buildings and premises.

12. HOUSEKEEPING: A hospital and other healthcare facilities are required to create and
preserve a hygienic and visually appealing atmosphere for their patients, staff, and
visitors.

13. MAINTENANCE: An efficient program for building maintenance must be in place. The
structures and machinery must be maintained in good repair. It is necessary to offer
proper maintenance in order to avoid equipment and buildings breaking down too
soon.

14. MATERIAL SPECIFICATION: Sturdy materials that allow for durability, ease of cleaning,
and fire resistance are required for floors, walls, and ceilings.

15. SEGREGATION: Wards are required to maintain gender segregation. Male and female
staff members and patients must each have their own restroom, with one (1)
restroom for every eight (8) patients or staff members.

16. FIRE PROTECTION: Fire detection devices, such as smoke detectors in ceilings,
peepholes in doors, and fire alarms in walls, must be installed. In key locations, there
must be firefighting tools like fire extinguishers and fire hoses that are readily
apparent and reachable.

17. SIGNAGE: An efficient graphic system must be in place, made up of several separate
visual aids and gadgets arranged to offer information, guidance, identification,
prohibition, warning, and official notice—all of which are thought to be crucial for a
hospital's and other healthcare facilities' optimal operation.

18. PARKING: For every 25 beds, a hospital or other healthcare facility must have at least
one (1) parking place.
19. ZONING: A hospital's many areas should be categorized into the following zones:
OUTER ZONE: The public can promptly access emergency, outpatient, and administrative
services located in the outer zone. They will be situated close to the hospital's entrance.

SECOND ZONE: consists of the radiology, pharmacy, and laboratory departments that receive
burden from the outer zone. They are going to be close to the outside zone.

INNER ZONE: is made up of places where nurses monitor patients and offer nursing care.
Although they will be in private spaces, visitors can still reach them.

DEEP ZONE: surgery, birth, critical care, and nursery services are among those that call for
asepsis in order to carry out the recommended services. They will be accessible to the outer,
second, and inner zones but kept apart from the public spaces.

20. FUNCTION: There must be a functional relationship between all of a hospital's departments.

To provide quick access, the emergency service will be situated on the ground floor. There
has to be a different entry for the emergency room.

The hospital's main entrance will be close to the administrative services, especially the
business and admitting offices. Hospital administration offices may be found in private
spaces.

The location and layout of the surgical service must avoid unrelated traffic. To ensure asepsis,
the operating room must be as far away from the entrance as is practical. After putting on
surgical clothes, the dressing room should be situated to minimize contact with unclean
regions. The placement of the nurse station must allow for the visual surveillance of patient
mobility.

The delivery service's location and layout must stop unrelated traffic. To ensure asepsis, the
delivery room must be as far away from the entryway as is practical. After putting on surgical
clothes, the dressing room should be situated to minimize contact with unclean regions. The
placement of the nurse station must allow for the visual surveillance of patient mobility. The
delivery room and the nursery must be connected, but the nursery must be separate.

The nursing service needs to be kept apart from the general public. The placement of the
nurse station must allow for patient monitoring from the outside. All hospital inpatient units
must have nursing stations, with a minimum of one (1) station for every thirty-five (35) beds.
Wards and rooms must have enough space to accommodate patient movement and work
flow. Rooms and wards must have instant access to restrooms.

The food service must be at least 25 meters away from the morgue.
 21. SPACE: Enough space must be allotted for the people, activities, furnishings,
appliances, and utilities.

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING

1. CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES FOR HOSPITALS
Hospitals have a number of legal obligations to meet. Therefore, the first items to think
about while designing your facility are the legal requirements for hospital design and
construction, which comprise:
FGI GUIDELINES: Hospitals must to abide with the guidelines provided by the FGI
Guidelines because they are consulted by numerous regulatory bodies for approving
and accrediting hospitals.
STATE REQUIREMENTS: Except for federal facilities, the majority of hospitals need to
get a state or municipal government license. State rules are often influenced by the
FGI Guidelines.
ADA REGULATIONS: It describes a collection of rules pertaining to architectural
accessibility. Additionally, the ADA offers rules that are particular to healthcare
facilities.
ADDITIONAL STANDARDS: The Joint Commission and the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) rules, particularly those pertaining to laboratory areas,
are two more standards and regulations that may have an impact on hospitals.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL LAYOUT

One of the most crucial elements of a good hospital is a functional layout. Your facility will
incorporate numerous intricate functions, therefore long before building starts, you should
carefully plan out the layout. Here are some pointers for a hospital layout that works well:

CONSIDER THE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL AREAS: There will be many different

functional sections in your hospital, such as administrative spaces, cafeterias,
intensive care units, outpatient clinics, and inpatient rooms, to mention a few. More
often than not, you will be moving patients and supplies between different places. For
the most effective layout, put these spaces next to one another. To ensure prompt
transportation of newly admitted patients for emergency surgery, it is advisable to
situate the operating room and emergency room in close proximity to one another.
SEPARATE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT AREAS: Putting outpatient facilities on the
first floor or close to entrances and exits will make your hospital easier to traverse.
STRATEGICALLY PLACE NURSES’ STATIONS: The daily operation of your hospital
depends heavily on the nurses' stations. Organize these units so that it is simple and
quick to go between the patient rooms and the station. At nursing facilities, your
 personnel will regularly have access to sensitive patient data; therefore, plan the
layout to support patient privacy.
INCORPORATE ENOUGH HOUSE KEEPING SPACES AND STORAGE ROOMS: Integrate
many housekeeping spaces and storage rooms into your hospital's structure to assist
nurses rapidly reach the items they need while working with patients and to promote
cleanliness.
REMEMBER TO PUT PARKING LOTS AND WAITING ROOMS: To enhance the
experience for patients, guests, and employees, provide enough of space for parking
lots and waiting areas. To further anticipate the needs of guests, locate waiting areas
next to restrooms.

SPACE PROGRAMMING/SPACE PLANNING

References
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