Healthcare Design - Exam 2 (Spring 26)

Material come from the book. Chapters 5, 6, 8, & 9.

Emergency Department (ED)

A hospital-based department that provides comprehensive, 24/7 care for life- or limb-threatening conditions and prioritizes patients based on severity rather than arrival time.

Urgent Care Center (UCC)

A walk-in medical facility that treats non-life-threatening conditions on a first-come, first-served basis, typically with shorter wait times and lower costs than an ED.

Triage

The preliminary assessment process used in EDs to determine the severity of a patient’s condition and prioritize treatment accordingly.

Fast-Track Area

A designated ED space for treating non-urgent patients quickly to reduce congestion and improve workflow efficiency.

Level I Emergency Department

The highest level of ED, typically affiliated with a teaching hospital, with in-house trauma surgeons and full specialist availability 24/7.

Level II Emergency Department

An ED capable of handling most emergencies, with surgeons and anesthesiologists on call but not always in-house.

Level III Emergency Department

An ED commonly found in smaller or rural hospitals that stabilizes patients and transfers complex cases to higher-level facilities.

Trauma Center Designation

A classification system indicating a facility’s capability to treat traumatic injuries based on available medical services.

Level I Trauma Center

A trauma center with a full in-house trauma team 24/7, capable of comprehensive surgical and resuscitative care.

Level IV Trauma Center

A trauma center that provides advanced trauma life support and stabilizes patients for transfer to higher-level facilities.

Negative Pressure Room

A specialized room that prevents contaminated air from escaping by maintaining lower air pressure than surrounding spaces.

Positive Pressure HVAC System

A ventilation system that pushes air outward when doors open, preventing contaminated outdoor air from entering.

MERV Rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)

A measurement scale (1–16) indicating the effectiveness of HVAC filters in capturing airborne particles; hospitals typically require MERV 13–16.

Infection Control in ED Design

Use of nonporous materials, ventilation systems, isolation rooms, and handwashing stations to reduce disease transmission.

Soiled Workroom (Soiled Holding Room)

A semi-restricted space where biohazardous waste and contaminated materials are collected before disposal.

Overcrowding in EDs

A condition where patient volume exceeds available staff, space, and equipment, leading to delays and reduced quality of care.

Affordable Care Act (2010)

Federal legislation requiring hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

Workflow Efficiency in ED Design

The organization of space to minimize staff travel time, improve accessibility to supplies, and enhance patient throughput.

Reception Area Security Measures

Design strategies such as bulletproof glass, concealed equipment, and multiple egress points to protect staff and patients.

Wayfinding in ED Design

Use of visual cues, lighting, signage, and layout to help stressed patients navigate efficiently.

Treatment Room Minimum Size

ED treatment rooms require at least 100 square feet of clear floor space, though many exceed 150 square feet.

Caregiver Zone

The primary zone in a treatment room focused on staff access to the patient and medical equipment.

Perpendicular Bed Configuration

A layout where the patient’s feet face the corridor, improving visibility and ease of transport.

Parallel Bed Configuration

A layout where the bed runs parallel to the corridor, enhancing privacy and handwashing compliance.

Specialized ED Areas

Trauma, behavioral, and decontamination rooms separated from general ED spaces due to safety and infection risks.

Behavioral Health Area in ED

A secured space for patients experiencing psychosis, withdrawal, or severe agitation.

Decontamination Room

A specialized room designed to isolate and treat patients exposed to biological or chemical contaminants.

Ambulance Bay Design

An ED entry requiring at least 8 feet of width and direct access to trauma and specialty areas.

Urgent Care Level I

A center providing extended hours and diagnostic services comparable to some ED capabilities.

Urgent Care Level IV

A limited urgent care facility offering basic services during normal business hours.

Space Planning for Urgent Care

Urgent care centers typically range from 3,000–4,000 square feet and include reception, intake, and exam rooms.

First-Come, First-Served Model

A patient prioritization system based on arrival time, commonly used in urgent care centers.

Severity-Based Prioritization

A triage system used in EDs where patients with life-threatening conditions are treated first.

Headwall System

A wall-mounted system supplying piped gases, suction, and electrical connections in treatment rooms.

Diagnostic Proximity in ED Design

Placement of imaging services near the ED to reduce patient transfer time and improve outcomes.

Stress-Reducing Design Elements

Incorporation of natural light, clear layouts, and calming environments to reduce patient anxiety.

COVID-19 Impact on ED Design

The pandemic exposed deficiencies in surge capacity, leading to repurposed spaces and temporary treatment areas.

ED Surge Capacity

The ability of an emergency department to expand services and space during disasters or mass-casualty events.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

A trained pre-hospital provider who delivers immediate care and transports patients to medical facilities.

Primary vs. Secondary Care Setting

EDs provide emergency and acute care, while urgent care centers serve as an intermediate option between primary care and emergency services.

Rehabilitation Hospital

A specialized hospital providing therapy services to restore or teach functional abilities after trauma or illness.

Rehabilitation

Restoring a person’s abilities to what they were before trauma or illness.

Habilitation

Teaching a person how to adjust to a new normal after permanent loss of function.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Daily actions that support health and well-being.

Essential ADLs (eADLs)

Activities necessary for survival such as eating, bathing, and toileting.

Probable ADLs (pADLs)

Activities needed for daily living but not required for survival, such as washing dishes.

Discretionary ADLs (dADLs)

Activities that provide meaning or enjoyment, such as baking a birthday cake.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

A medical specialty overseeing therapy programs such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Therapy focused on improving movement, strength, range of motion, and physical function.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Therapy focused on improving independence in performing daily activities.

Speech Pathology and Audiology

Therapy aimed at improving communication and hearing abilities.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection

A severe infection causing tissue death that may require surgical removal or amputation.

Amputation

The removal of dead or damaged tissue, often involving an extremity.

Prosthetic

An artificial body part used to replace a missing limb.

Transtibial Amputation

Amputation below the knee.

Transfemoral Amputation

Amputation above the knee.

Disarticulation

Removal of a limb at the joint rather than through the bone.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord affecting motor and sensory function.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Irreversible spinal cord damage resulting in total loss of function below the injury site.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Partial spinal cord damage where some communication between brain and body remains.

Paraplegia

Paralysis affecting the lower body, typically legs.

Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)

Paralysis affecting arms and legs, often including breathing and swallowing muscles.

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Injury in the neck region causing loss of function in arms and legs.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury

Injury in the chest region affecting trunk and sometimes arms.

Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury

Injury in the lower back resulting in leg movement loss.

Sacral Spinal Cord Injury

Injury affecting hips and parts of the legs.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A brain injury caused by an external force such as a fall or accident.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

A brain injury occurring after birth due to illness, disease, or internal factors.

Meninges

Web-like protective membranes surrounding the brain that act as shock absorbers.

Ischemic Stroke

A stroke caused by a blockage that deprives brain tissue of oxygen.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel that floods brain tissue.

Epiphyseal (Growth Plate)

The area at the end of long bones in children that facilitates bone growth.

Hydrotherapy

Therapy using warm water to reduce pain and improve muscle relaxation.

Range of Motion

The degree of movement a joint can achieve.

Muscle Atrophy

Loss or weakening of muscle tissue due to disuse.

Exoskeleton

A wearable robotic device assisting movement during therapy.

Simulation Lab (Occupational Therapy)

A space designed to mimic real-life environments such as kitchens or bathrooms for skill practice.

Healing Garden

Outdoor therapeutic space with varied surfaces for mobility and dexterity training.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Therapy assisting patients in returning to work or developing job-related skills.

Proprioception

Awareness of body position and movement.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Injuries or disorders affecting muscles, nerves, joints, tendons, or cartilage.

Grief Stages (Kübler-Ross)

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance experienced after loss.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

A residential care unit for patients staying several weeks for intensive therapy.

Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

Therapy services provided to patients living at home or long-term care facilities.

Minimum Patient Room Size (Rehab)

At least 140 square feet of clear floor space with 4 feet clearance around the bed.

Interdisciplinary Team

Collaborative group of healthcare professionals coordinating patient therapy plans.

Active Engagement Design

Design strategy encouraging patient participation in social and therapeutic activities.

Shock-Absorbing Flooring

Flooring designed to reduce fall impact and prevent injury.

Grab Bars and Handrails

Safety supports installed to assist patient mobility and prevent falls.

Speech Therapy Acoustic Design

Design considerations ensuring clear sound quality and good lighting for speech training.

Super-Aged Society

A society in which more than 20 percent of the population is over age 65.

Young Old

Adults aged 65–75 years.

The Old

Adults aged 75–85 years.

Oldest-Old

Adults over 85 years old.

Chronic Disease

A long-lasting health condition such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes.

Long-Term Care Facility

A facility providing health and personal care services to individuals who cannot live independently but do not require acute hospital care.

Resident

Term used in long-term care instead of patient because individuals live there and are not acutely ill.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

A retirement community offering a continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing.

Assisted Living Facility

A residential setting where older adults receive help with daily care but maintain some independence.

Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility)

A residential facility providing 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision.