This is a reminder that the deadline for FGI Public Comment on proposed changes to the 2018 Guidelines is December 12, 2016.With this deadline upon us, The Academy of Architecture for Health would like to offer you this list of significant changes.to focus on, and we encourage you to provide your input:
Significant proposed changes, Hospital sections:
- Section 1.2-5.2, Sustainable Design
Expanded sustainability requirements that include waste minimization, potable water conservation, and energy efficiency.
- Section 1.2-5.5, Emergency Preparedness and Management
Revised guidance for emergency preparedness and management (formerly Provisions for Disasters).
- Sections 2.1-2.3 and 3.1-2, Accommodations for Care of Patients of Size
Updated design requirements for accommodations for care of patients of size to address patients of size who do not fit the definition of bariatric. Applies to patient rooms designated for “patient of size” located within typical patient unit. Expanded section on toilet and patient room minimum clearance requirements.
- Sections 2.1-3.2.4 and 3.1-3.2.4, Accommodations for Telemedicine Services
New guidance for the design of telemedicine spaces.
- Sections 2.1-3.4 and 3.1-3.5, Pre- and Post-Procedure Patient Care
New flexibility in pre- and post-procedure patient care area design requirements to support how care is provided in these spaces.
- Sections 2.1-5.1 and 3.1-5.1, Sterile Processing
Two options for sterile processing area design: two required rooms (decontamination and clean) with an exception for a single room for small table-top sterilizers.
- Section 2.2-2.6.2.2, Critical Care Patient Care Areas—Space requirements
New requirement for single-bed critical care rooms.
- Section 2.2-3.1.3.6 (11), Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Room
New design requirements for a sexual assault forensic examination room.
- Sections 2.2-3.3.2 and 3.8-3.1, Procedure Room; Sections 2.2-3.3.3 and 3.7-3.4, Operating Room; and Section 2.2-3.3.4, Hybrid Operating Room
Clarification of procedure room and operating room requirements intended to support space for equipment and staff present for procedures provided.
- Section 2.2-3.4.1.2, Imaging Room Classification
New classification structure for imaging rooms based on procedures performed and patient acuity to allow flexibility in imaging room requirements as procedures and equipment change over time.
- Section 2.2-3.4.2.4, System Component Room
New requirement for access to system component room from semi-restricted area, no longer allowing access from restricted OR area.
To comment on these and other proposed changes to the hospital sections: www.fgiguidelines.net/proposals_H
Significant proposed changes, Outpatient sections:
- The outpatient sections would be in a stand-alone book. This includes all code sections to create a separate Outpatient document, including recognizing unique locations of Outpatient facilities, the sizes of facilities, the make-up of multi-disciplinary project teams, safety risk assessment language, noise, ambient light and so on. There are many proposals for change to the 2018 Guidelines to address appropriate code language for Outpatient settings.
- Surgery – Given proposals for change, a combined decontamination and clean work area would no longer be acceptable. Sterile processing, if on site, is proposed to be in the suite in a separate room.
- Surgery – proposals allowing for combining post-op and pre-op bays.
- Imaging – proposed new interventional and acuity classification system which mirrors surgery.
- Standardization of space requirements for all spaces (including imaging). Removal of room size requirements, and a focus on critical clearances.
- Bariatrics changed to “patients of size” to accommodate large, healthy people such as athletes.
- Regarding sustainability, new language proposed to minimize waste, (including for construction waste removal), water conservation and energy efficiency.
- Emergency preparedness language proposed for the appendix.
- Clarification of Office-based Procedure and Operating Rooms to be “Procedure Rooms.”
- Mobile and Transportable refined to exclude Modular/Relocatable which would be treated as a new building.
- Waiting Areas: Requirements consistent across Outpatient facility types and guidance for sizing waiting areas for seating.
To comment on these and other proposed changes to the outpatient sections: www.fgiguidelines.net/proposals_OP
Significant proposed changes, Residential document:
Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (4.4)
- Long Term Care Treatment Facilities (Drug Rehab) (4.5)
- Lighting Planning – Changes about the color of light and importance of darkness(1.2 - 5.1)
- Grab bars – Integration of a current research study into potential grab bar configurations(2.4-2.2.9)
- Hospice – descriptions of differences between Hospice and Palliative Care (3.3)
Appendix Items:
- Resident Quality of Life – Integration of Person – Centered Care Concepts (1.2 – 5.8)
To comment on these and other proposed changes to the Residential document: www.fgiguidelines.net/proposals_RES
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Joan Suchomel, President, Academy of Architecture for Health
Principal, Eckenhoff Saunders Architects
Chicago, IL
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