The provision of a safe environment within health care premises is a statutory obligation and must be part of the risk management strategy of the hospital. The environment in which patients are nursed must be designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to a minimum. Along with the physicians and nurses from the units, and the designated members of the projects teams, the infection prevention and control team must also be involved in the design, construction, and commissioning of any new or upgraded building or health care facility at an early stage. This chapter discusses the...

The provision of a safe environment within health care premises is a statutory obligation and must be part of the risk management strategy of the hospital. The environment in which patients are nursed must be designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to a minimum. Along with the physicians and nurses from the units, and the designated members of the projects teams, the infection prevention and control team must also be involved in the design, construction, and commissioning of any new or upgraded building or health care facility at an early stage. This chapter discusses the functional design of health care facilities, patient accommodation, isolation rooms, ventilation and air-conditioning; construction, renovation, and demolition; and operating theatres.