CLINIC / HEALTH UNIT

OVERVIEW
The Clinic/Health Unit space types are facilities where outpatient ambulatory health
services are provided. Support and sub-space types, such as office spaces, private
toilets, and filing and storage areas are included.
This space type does not include provisions for invasive surgery, in-patient services,
medical diagnostic categories I, II, and III equipment (including exam lights and
medical gas systems), radiological diagnostic services (including special structural
elements and radiation shielding on ceiling and floor areas), darkroom revolving
door systems, or medical laboratory spaces. Clinics where general anesthesia,
invasive procedures, or overnight care are provided require Institutional Occupancy
construction types and are not included.

SPACE ATTRIBUTES
The Clinic/Health Unit space type should provide a sanitary and therapeutic
environment in which patients can be treated by medical practitioners quickly and
effectively. A clinic's size and configuration are determined by its specialization and
location. The clinic/health unit space type can be configured into a number of
different types of modules to accommodate many approaches to clinic/health unit
design. There is however, a trend toward more collaborative health care, which
requires nurses' stations and physicians' offices to be close to each other (or eliminate
private offices altogether) to provide shared work areas and more opportunities for
communication. A clinic/health unit setting is intended to also serve as a healing
environment. So there is also a trend to designing less clinical-looking spaces, and
introducing more of a personal or homey feeling in individual patient rooms and
admitting areas. Access to nature and the colors of nature also support healing. So
design the space holistically by incorporating the colors or scenes of nature when
views to nature are not available or possible.
Typical features of clinic/health unit space types include the list of applicable design
objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the
design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles
below.

ACCESSIBLE
 All areas should comply with the minimum requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, if federally funded or owned, with the GSA's
 ABA Accessibility Standards. For more information, see WBDG Accessible
Branch and Provide Accessibility for Historic Buildings (historic facilities).
 Clinic/health unit space must be easy to use by patients with temporary or
permanent disabilities.
 Consider patients with hearing loss or vision impairments, as well as physical
disabilities.
 Use mechanical door openers to assist in entering and leaving the facility.

AESTHETICS
Aesthetics are important to the clinic's public image and visibility within the
community as well as the connection to healing and the patient experience.
Aesthetic considerations include:
o Increased use of natural light, natural materials, and textures.
o Use of artwork, including nature scenes when views or access to nature
are unavailable.
o Attention to detail, proportions, color, lighting, and scale.
o Bright, open, generously scaled public spaces.
o Homelike and intimate scale in patient rooms and offices.
o Signage that promotes optimal way-finding, satisfies the orientation
needs of the first-time patient, allows easy navigation, and provides
highly visible reference points immediately adjacent to each major
entrance.

FUNCTIONAL / OPERATIONAL
o Cleanliness and Sanitation: The cleanliness of a facility is not only
related to a patient's medical recovery, but can also affect the perceived
level of care. To maintain a sanitary environment, spaces should be easy
to clean and maintain. Use durable finishes and sterile/antimicrobial
surfaces as necessary. For more information, see WBDG Therapeutic
Environments.
o Comfort: Provide space that is comfortable and inviting for family
members to congregate and visit without feeling they are in the way.
o Occupancy: The occupancy classification for the Clinic/Health Unit
space type is Business Occupancy B2, with sprinklered protected
construction and GSA Acoustical Class C2.
o Flexibility: Plan for flexibility and future expansion and/or
modifications to the design.
PRODUCTIVE
o Efficiency and Flexibility: The layout of the Clinic/Health Unit should
promote prompt and reliable medical attention. Relationship and flow
diagrams created at the beginning of the design process will ensure a
sensible programming of space. Office support spaces such as
workrooms, file rooms, copier areas, coat storage, and lockers typically
will be integrated into the clinic environment. Flexibility must also be
a basic feature of any health care facility to keep it from rapid
obsolescence in the face of changing needs and technologies.
o Acoustic and Visual Privacy: The new HIPAA (Health Insurance
Portability and Accessibility Act) regulations address the security and
privacy of "protected health information" (PHI). These regulations put
new emphasis on acoustic and visual privacy, and may affect location
and layout of workstations that handle medical records and other patient
information-both paper and electronic-as well as patient
accommodations. Flow diagrams created in the beginning of the design
process should address controlled access areas.

SECURE / SAFE
o Emergency Backup Systems: Typically, this space type will require
emergency battery backup for 25% of lighting. Refer to individual
utility requirements for specific medical equipment.
o Fire Protection and Life Safety measures need to be addressed and
incorporated into the design as per local or state codes and specific
requirements of the clinic/health unit.
o Furniture should be washable and fire-retardant. To prevent falls,
choose carpeting that contrasts with the color of the clinic's reception
furniture.
o Scale and Separation: When designing clinics for children, incorporate
child-sized seating and tables into reception area/check-in room. Allow
a separate seating area for children who are ill and contagious to prevent
spreading illness.

SUSTAINABLE
o Use healthy indoor materials that do not off-gas and that meet no- or
Low-VOC requirements while also meeting hygienic and anti-
microbial requirements.
 o Provide ample natural daylighting and views and access to nature
wherever possible.
o Consider the use of renewable energy sources to power the building or
spaces and integrate energy efficient equipment into the facility.
o Provide healthy indoor air quality.
o Consider the use of modular construction when renovating or
remodeling to reduce construction dust, debris, and waste. Some
modular walls can be customized without undermining hygienic
requirements. Thoughtfully-designed and aesthetically-pleasing
interiors are not only good for patients and their families; they improve
the well-being of nursing staff as well.

EXAMPLE PROGRAM
The following building program is representative of Clinic/Health Unit spaces.

HEALTH UNIT
 DESCRIPTION QTY. SF SPACE SUM TENANT TENANT
TENANT OCCUPIABLE EACH REQ'D. ACTUAL USABLE USF
AREAS SF FACTOR

Entry Lobby 240

Waiting 1 120 120

Reception/Registration 1 60 60

Payee Window 1 60 60

General Patient Care 684

Physician Office/Consult 1 120 120

Exam Room 3 108 324

Nurse Work Area 1 40 40

Patient Toilets 1 60 60

Clean/Supply Room 1 60 60

Medications Storage 1 20 20
 Soiled Utility Room 1 60 60

Medical Records 60

Medical Records Files 1 60 60

Staff Support Spaces 216

Staff Toilet (Male) 1 60 60

Staff Toilet (Female) 1 60 60

Staff Break Room 1 60 60

Housekeeping 1 36 36

Tenant Suite 1,200 1,200 1.53 1,840

Tenant Usable Areas 1,840