SPATIAL DESIGN EVALUATION OF ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OPTIMIZATION: A CASE OF CAPITAL HOSPITAL G-6, ISLAMABAD

Abstract

Sustainable usage and optimal performance of Accident and Emergency (A & E) department of any hospital is one of the most critical need of healthcare infrastructure in times of trauma, catastrophes and emergencies. Exploration with respect to A&E optimization is missing in the context of Pakistan. A study was undertaken with the focus on A&E Department at Capital hospital, Islamabad. Based on standards of A&E design optimization, a checklist based observational study was followed using the data obtained from the respondents from medical, paramedic, support and administrative staff along with patients and their attendants. It was concluded that the existing facility fails to fulfill the requirements for a standardized A&E Department for targeted number of beds and hence needs design interventions. The researchers with the help of A&E lead and chief medical officer devised a facility brief and later proposed a whole new design facility in the current context for sustainable usage in the future. Keywords: Healthcare design, Environmental design, Accident and emergency, Architectural intervention, Sustainable usage