Whether a patient care area is used for patient exams and treatments, diagnostics, medical or surgical procedures, or for inpatient recuperation, associated space is needed to store and stage medical supplies, medications, nourishment, and equipment used in the department or nursing unit. These spaces are often referred to as “clinical support space” and are usually standardized throughout a healthcare facility. The generic rooms or areas listed in this article can be used for most patient care areas. The minimum sizes can generally support a wide range of exam/treatment rooms, procedure rooms, and inpatient beds. A further increase in workload or beds can usually be met with the addition of a second supply cart, bin, cabinet, etc. For very large departments or nursing units, an additional set of these spaces may be provided to reduce staff walking distances.
- Clean workroom at 100 NSF (9.3 NSM) — used for preparing patient care items — includes a work counter, handwashing station, and cabinets and/or carts for storing clean and sterile supplies.
- Clean supply room at 60 NSF (5.6 NSM) — used only for the storage and holding of clean and sterile supplies and does not require a work counter and handwashing station.
- Soiled workroom at 80 NSF (7.4 NSM) — used for preparing soiled items for subsequent cleaning, disposal, or reuse, and temporary holding until they are removed from the room — includes a work counter, handwashing station, flushing-rim clinical service sink (with a bedpan washer, as required), and space for separate covered containers.
- Soiled holding room at 60 NSF (5.6 NSM) — used exclusively for the temporary storage of soiled materials and contains only a handwashing station and separate covered containers.
- Medication preparation room at 80 NSF (7.4 NSM) — used for preparing, dispensing, and administering medications and typically contains a work counter, handwashing sink, lockable refrigerator, lockable storage for controlled drugs, and a sharps container. Medication preparation rooms should be designed to comply with the requirements of a “medication safety zone” as specified in the FGI Guidelines.
- Medication dispensing units, stations, and carts (self-contained) at 20 – 40 NSF (1.9 – 3.7 NSM) — includes floor-mounted automated medication dispensing stations or mobile medication dispensing carts that may be located in the medication preparation room, at the car team work area, in a clean workroom, in an alcove, or in a patient room as long as there is a lockable drawer to secure controlled drugs.
- Handwashing station at 10 NSF (0.9 NSM) — includes a handwashing sink with a hands-free faucet (either wall-hung or within casework) along with a liquid or foam soap dispenser and a means for drying hands.
- Nourishment alcove or room at 40 – 80 NSF (3.7 – 7.4 NSM) — typically includes a work counter, food preparation sink, refrigerator, microwave, ice making equipment, storage cabinets, space for the temporary storage of unused and soiled food service implements, and a handwashing station.
- Equipment storage alcove at 15 – 30 NSF (1.4 – 2.8 NSM) — used for the temporary holding of stretchers, wheelchairs, food delivery carts, emergency resuscitation carts, portable X-ray units, and other mobile patient equipment. Power outlets for battery charging may be provided.
- Environmental services room at 40 NSF (3.7 NSM) — includes a service sink or floor-mounted mop sink, handwashing station, and provisions for the storage of housekeeping supplies and equipment to support the housekeeping staff.
Note: Net square feet/meters (NSF/NSM) represents the inside wall-to-wall dimensions of individual rooms.