Common Clinical Support Spaces

Originally printed in the

SpaceMed Newsletter
Winter 2016
www.spacemed.com

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 should be standardized throughout a healthcare
facility. The generic rooms or areas listed below 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.

Type of
Clinical Support
Space

Functional Use

Minimum
Room Size
Guideline

Clean
Workroom

Used for preparing patient care items includes a work counter, handwashing
station, and cabinets and/or carts for storing clean and sterile supplies.

(9.3 NSM)

100 NSF

Clean Supply
Room

Used only for the storage and holding of clean and sterile supplies and does not
require a work counter and handwashing station.

(5.6 NSM)

Soiled Workroom

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.

60 NSF
80 NSF
(7.4 NSM)

Soiled Holding
Room

Used exclusively for the temporary storage of soiled materials and contains only
a handwashing station and separate covered containers.

60 NSF

Medication
Preparation
Room

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 Unit
(Self Contained)

Includes floor-mounted automated medication dispensing stations or mobile

medication dispensing carts may be located in the medication preparation
room, at the nurse station, in a clean workroom, or in an alcove, as long as there
is a lockable drawer to secure controlled drugs.

Handwashing
Station

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

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.

(3.7 - 7.4 NSM)

Equipment Storage
Alcove

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.

(1.4 - 2.8 NSM)

Environmental
Services Room

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.

(3.7 NSM)

(5.6 NSM)

80 NSF
(7.4 NSM)

20-40 NSF
(1.9 - 3.7 NSM)

10 NSF
(0.9 NSM)

40-80 NSF

15-30 NSF

40 NSF

Note: NSF represents the net square feet or inside wall-to-wall dimensions of all individual rooms.
Source: SpaceMed Guide (Third Edition).

2016.9.1

Copyright SpaceMed

www.spacemed.com

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