The care environment is constituted by those features in a built health care entity that are created, structured, and maintained to support quality health care. As patients and their families have become more involved in the course of care, facilities need to respond to the changing requirements for accommodations.


The health care environment should enhance the dignity of the patient through features that permit privacy and confidentiality. Stress can be a major detriment to the course of a patient’s care. The facility should be designed to reduce patient, family, and staff stress wherever possible. Research- and evidence-based materials are available to support these goals and should be referred to during design.

This document contains information intended as minimum standards for constructing and equipping new health care facility projects. For brevity and convenience these standards are presented in “code language.”

Although the ultimate interpretation of information contained in this document is the responsibility of the adopting authority having jurisdiction, where applicable, the value of advisory commentary has been recognized. The interpretation of a specific standard contained in these Guidelines may be requested from the Guidelines Steering Committee with a detailed request.



Index

1. Intoduction
2. Environment of Care
3. Site
4. Equipment
5. Construction
6. Record Drawings and Manuals
7. General Hospital
8. Nursing Facilities
9. Outpatient Facilities
10. Rehabilitation Facilities
11. Psychiatric Hospital
12. Mobile, Transportable, and Relocatable Units
13. Hospice Care
14. Assisted Living
15. Adult Day Care Facilities