FINAL DRAFT- 10/31/95
REVISED January 1997
Television
Disposable linens are include with general
recyclable waste or medical waste as
Television outlets are provided at selected
appropriate.
areas such as the chemotherapy treatment
cubicles.
Utensils
Physiological Monitoring
Reusable utensils include bed pans, urinals,
emesis basins and other stainless steel items
Outlets for physiological monitoring are
which are used in exam and treatment areas
provided at selected locations such as the life
and then transported to the soiled utility room.
support unit, and observation and treatment
There they are reprocessed if steam washers
cubicles.
are available or collected for transport to the
Sterile Processing Department for reprocessing.
Public Address
The Ambulatory Care department will not have
Space Requirements
an independent public address (PA) system.
Space requirements will vary with the selection
The department will be included as part of the
of waste collection and recycling methods and
hospital-wide PA system.
Speakers are
systems, and space requirements need to be
typically located in corridors and public spaces.
analyzed for each optional method or system
The actual system configuration will depend on
considered for new and existing facilities.
the overall design layout and functional
requirements.
While space needs are determined by VA
Handbook 7610 on a departmental basis, space
Waste Management
provisions for waste collection needs to be
Medical Waste
distributed and dedicated to a variety of uses to
Medical waste is generated in exam and
accommodate the implementation of the system
treatment spaces where it is bagged, collected
and method selected.
and transported to the soiled utility rooms.
There it is held in separate containers pending
Transportation
transport to the medical waste handling facility.
Outpatient
Patients arrive at their appointed clinic via
General Waste
private or public transportation.
General Waste is generated in all spaces and is
held in containers for collection and sorting into
Clear site and facility organization and
carts or it is bagged and placed in a waste chute
directional signage assist in directing the patient
and transported to the waste handling facility.
to their destination.
Recycling
Emergency walk-in patients are clearly directed
Methods for sorting, collecting, transporting and
to a dedicated entrance separated from
disposing of recyclable products must be
ambulance traffic.
specifically analyzed for each facility and
location.
Convenient access from patient parking and
primary care entrance should be provided.
The optional use of disposable and reusable
products is an important consideration in
Passenger elevator access to Pulmonary
recycling and waste disposal alternatives.
Medicine facilities located off main entrance
levels should be provided.
Soiled Linen
Soiled reusable linens are generated in exam
Techniques like clear access routes, public
rooms, treatment spaces and patient and staff
spaces, landmarks and signage to facilitate
gowning areas and are collected in carts or
wayfinding should be used.
hampers (depending on volume) in the soiled
utility rooms or they are bagged and transported
Inpatient
to (a) central collection area(s) via soiled linen
Access for stretcher and wheelchair patients
chutes.
from inpatient areas should be provided.
VA DESIGN GUIDE
AMBULATORY CARE (Hospital Based)
PAGE 2-8
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