AIA 2006 Guidelines Include Single-Bed Rooms
In April 2001 the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) introduced the 2001 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities. This year’s edition includes sections on:
- Small inpatient primary care hospitals
- Intermediate care units
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Psychiatric outpatient centers
- Renal dialysis centers
- Observation units
- In-hospital skilled nursing units
A major change in the document is the adoption of single-bed private rooms as a minimum standard for new hospital construction following an extensive review of the literature on its advantages and disadvantages in terms of clinical outcomes and costs. The advantages of single-occupancy rooms are cited (pdf) as improvements in patient care, a reduction in the risk of cross infection, and greater flexibility in operation. Ongoing operating costs are found to be higher in hospitals than upfront construction costs. Private rooms are more expensive to build but reduce operating costs thanks to lower transfer costs, lower labor costs and higher bed occupancy. They reduce infection propagation and provide more privacy to patients. which a majority of them seem to value alongside lower noise, better quality of sleep, and the ability to spend more time with family.
Related entries:
- In-Depth Survey Highlights Hospital Building Trends
- Chicago Hospitals Add Private Rooms
- Hospitals Increase Profits, Get Built Anew
July 18, 2006 Related topics: Facilities, Quality, Safety, Errors