Hospital Design Standards

Having developed a “wish list” the librarian should become familiar with the realities of hospital design (regulations, costs, time frames, etc.). It may be helpful to review a book or two on hospital design and hospital standards so the librarian can speak the same language as the facilities designer and the building engineer. Every wall, door, or pipe that is moved costs money. Every change in the configuration of space requires a reassessment of HVAC and fire suppression systems. Environmental considerations include sound control, lighting, security and safety, costs of cleaning, and wi-fi.

Journal Articles

Bandy, M.,Doyle, J., Fladger, A., Frumento, K., Girouard, L., Hayes, S., & Rourke, D.(2008). Standards for hospital libraries 2007: Hospital Libraries SectionStandards Committee. Journal of the Medical LibraryAssociation : JMLA, 96(2), 162-9

Online Catalogs

Consider also looking at online catalogs for library furnishings and equipment companies to learn about options for flexible study space and shelving or display.

Library Products

http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet09

Setting Up a Library:

http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet16

Moving Libraries: http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet14

Physical Environment - Health, Productivity & Well-Being

There have been many studies of how the healthcare physical environment affects the health, productivity, and well-being of hospital staff and patients.

Kotzer, A. M., Zacharakis, S. K., Raynolds, M., & Buenning, F. (2010). Evaluation of the built environment: staff and family satisfaction pre-and post-occupancy of the Children's Hospital. HERD, 4(4), 60-78.

Hutton, J. D., & Richardson, L. D. (1995). Healthscapes: the role of the facility and physical environment on consumer attitudes, satisfaction, quality assessments, and behaviors. Health Care Management Review, 20(2), 48-61.

Lin, B. Y., Lin, Y. K., Juan, C. W., Lee, S., & Lin, C. C. (2012). Moderating role of interior amenities on hospital medical directors' patient-related work stresses.HERD, 6(2), 77-92.

Web Sites

Facility GuidelinesInstitute,, & American Society for Healthcare Engineering,. - Guidelines for design andconstruction of hospitals and outpatient facilities.(2014)

Books/ Book Chapters

Winkel, S. R., Collins, D. S., & Juroszek, S. P. (2007). Building codes illustrated for healthcare facilities: A guide to understanding the 2006 International building code for healthcare facilities. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

This book does not address hospital libraries, but will help the librarian discuss library needs with facilities planners if the librarian is interested/concerned about fire suppression, where doors must be placed (modes of egress), ADA-compliance, air quality, allowable lighting options, room capacities, interior finishes, etc.

In Miller, K. M., Wyllie, C., Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations., & Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (2006). Planning, design, and construction of health care facilities. Oak Terrace, IL: JCAHO.

This book does not address libraries, but does address safety in healthcare facilities and reminds librarians to ask questions about the demolition, renovation, or new construction and its effects upon air quality, noise, vibration, utility requirements, and emergency procedures. It advocates using the construction/renovation planning process to promote a culture of safety—and this should apply to library users and staff as well as to hospital patients.

Videos

American Society for Healthcare Engineering., & HCTV. (2008). This new hospital. Chicago, Ill.: American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association. [DVD]