520
Detailed Needs and Requirements: Psychiatric Unit
3. Patient Shower and Toilet Facilities
Patients should have convenient access to toilets and showers and/or
baths. The desire to maintain and promote patient dignity and self-
reliance may justify the allocation of toilets and showers to each patient
room. One centrally located bathroom should have the capability to
contain a free standing tub which, in addition to being used to bathe
infirm patients, may be used for physical therapy.
4. Dayrooms
Day spaces should be compatible with the formation of various groups
of different sizes and different social, recreational and therapeutic
activities, ranging from reading to T.V., from cards to ping pong, etc. In
planning dayrooms, it must be assumed that all patients in the unit are
likely to be out of bed and may all be occupying the dayrooms
simultaneously. The multi-use of space is desirable but not at the
expense of any essential individual function within that space.
5. Exterior Area
Several recreational activities can usefully take place outdoors, such
as shuffleboard, ping-pong, etc. A congenial outdoor area with direct
and easy access from the unit is desirable.
6. Dining Room
Mealtimes provide a useful opportunity to encourage a patient to
associate with groups. A central dining area, on the unit, should be
provided for this purpose.
7. Nourishment Kitchen
A nourishment kitchen should be located adjacent to the dining area
and should be easily accessible to the patients to prepare coffee,
snacks and occasional meals.
2 - 102
Previous Page
