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Detailed Needs and Requirements: Psychiatric Unit
8. Group Therapy Room
Currently, there is inadequate space for group therapy functions in
many units. It may be desirable, to provide a designated
group/therapy room that is appropriately equipped, functionally and
environmentally for that function. A student observation area adjacent
to this space may also be desirable.
9. Occupational Therapy Room
Similarly, it may desirable to provide a small occupational therapy
room, either on the unit or shared between adjacent units, to enable
patients who may wish engage in therapy on an informal unscheduled
basis to do so without leaving the unit.
10. Patient Utility Room
A patient utility room for washing, ironing and mending clothes may be
desirable and could be shared between units. Equipment would
include a washing machine, a drying machine, an ironing board, and
perhaps, a sewing machine.
11. Nurses' Station
The nurses' station should be located to allow for easy observation and
control of entrances and exits and of patient activity areas. Space and
facilities with reasonable visual and acoustical privacy should be
provided for the ward clerk's activity. Privacy for conversations
between staff members is usually desirable. Patient records contain
personal and confidential information and should be appropriately
secured.
12. Examination/Treatment Room
An examination/treatment room with facilities similar to that provided in
the general medical unit is sufficient for shock therapy and other
procedures. This room may also be used for history-taking and
interviews. A small desk and chairs may be provided for this purpose.
Examinations and treatment require natural light to facilitate the
detection of illness. Lighting and lighting controls should respond to
particular program needs: For example, perception testing might
require total darkness, T.V. playback of patient videotapes might
require semi-darkness, and group or individual therapy might require
normal light.
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