DGHDP Part A Complete 6 19

Part A – Introduction and instructions for use
Issue 1 Release Notes

This release represents the first public issue of the new Victorian Guidelines for Hospitals and Day Procedure
Centres (DGHDP). All previous releases were marked DRAFT for review and comment only.
Every effort has been made to check the new guidelines for errors and inconsistencies. Many difference
stakeholders, proof-readers and reviewers have participated in this process. Nevertheless, As may be
expected of issue 1 of a comprehensive set of new guidelines, errors and inconsistencies may still be found.
These will be progressively corrected in future editions of the guidelines
Important Disclaimer
These Guidelines have been created as “Stand-alone” documents. Nothing in these Guidelines implies that
compliance with them will automatically result in compliance with other Legislative or Statutory requirements.
Similarly, nothing in these Guidelines implies compliance with the Australian Standards or the Building Code
of Australia. Parts of these Guidelines such as Room Layout Sheets necessary show elements which may be
subject of those Legislative or Statutory requirements. Every effort has been made to ensure such
compliance, however no guarantees are made. It is the responsibility of each user to check and ensure
compliance with other “Stand-alone” Legislative and Statutory requirements.
As the name suggests, the documents provided are “Guidelines”. Users are advised to seek expert opinion on
the important issue of Health Facility Design whilst considering these Guidelines. Many of the concepts
covered by these Guidelines require a minimum level of knowledge of Health Facilities and Health Facility
Design. Due to the generic nature of these Guidelines, all the individual circumstances can not be anticipated
or covered. Furthermore, these Guidelines do not cover the operational policies of individual facilities.
Delivery of excellence in health care as well as the provision of a safe working environment will depend on
appropriate operational policies. The authors of these Guidelines as well as those involved in the checking or
approval of these Guidelines accept no responsibility for any harm or damage, monitory of otherwise caused
by the use or misuse of these Guidelines.
What is New?
These guidelines were specifically prepared by Health Projects International for Victoria using a specially
customised database of health design knowledge. Over the last few years, thanks to a framework of
cooperation between different State Departments of Health, the guidelines have been offered as the core of
the proposed future National Health Facility Design Guidelines. The same database system is used to deliver
the new NSW Health Facility Guidelines over the next few years. The delivery system, the structure and
content database are shared, whilst each State initially has its own version meeting legislative and policy
requirements. Over time, various State variations of the guidelines are expected to reduce to pave the way
towards the future unified Guidelines.
Use of Other Guidelines

These Guidelines have been prepared after considering numerous other Guidelines available in Australia and
overseas. Both words and concepts found in the other Guidelines have been used when appropriate,
sometimes with changes to terminology or methods of measurement. Since very similar concepts and
requirements are covered by many different guidelines, a clause by clause reference to other guidelines would
be impractical. A short list of other Guidelines reviewed for the preparation of these Guidelines can be found
under “References and Further Reading” in each section of the Guidelines. Nothing in these Guidelines
implies or guarantees compliance with every requirement of those other Guidelines.
Credits
These Design Guidelines as well as the Guidelines Web Site have been prepared by:
Health Projects International Pty Limited (HPI) for the Department of Human Services, Victoria, (DHS).
Suite 1, Ground Floor, 68 Alfred Street, Milsons Point, NSW, 2061
Tel: 02 9460 4199 Fax: 02 9460 4299 www.hpi.net.au [email protected]
DHS The Department of Human Services, Victoria

Design guidelines for hospitals and day procedure centres
02-Nov-04
Issue 1 Page 2 of 426
Index Page No
Part A - Introduction and Instructions for Use

10 Introduction 6
20 Terms of Reference 10
30 How to Read 12
40 Administration 15
45 Role Delineation and Levels of Service 17
50 Abbreviations 18
Part B - Health Facility Briefing and Planning

60 Site Development 20
70 Construction Standards 21
80 General Requirements 23
90 Standard Components 30
110 Acute Spinal Unit 74
120 Administration Unit 77
130 Admissions Unit 81
132 Adolescent/ Child & Family Acute Mental Health Inpatient Units 84
134 Adult Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit 93
135 Aged Persons Acute Psychiatric Unit 102
140 Allied Health Unit 113
150 Ambulance Unit 123
170 Cardiac Catheterisation Unit 126
180 Catering Unit 130
190 Central Sterile Supply Unit (CSSU) 139
220 Child Care Unit 146
230 Cleaning/ Housekeeping Unit 147
240 Clinical Information Unit 150
250 Community Mental Health 153
260 Coronary Care Unit 160
270 Day Procedure Unit 164

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280 Dental Unit 172
290 Education & Training Unit 177
300 Emergency Unit 181
310 Engineering & Maintenance Unit 195
320 Geriatric Evaluation & Management 199
340 Inpatient Accommodation Unit 200
350 Integrated Health Care Centres 207
360 Intensive Care - General 215
370 Intensive Care - Coronary 224
390 Intensive Care - Neonatal / Special Care Nursery 226
400 Intensive Care - Paediatric 231
410 Laundry / Linen Handling Unit 234
430 Main Entrance Unit 237
440 Medical Imaging - General 240
450 Medical Imaging - Angiography 246
460 Medical Imaging - CT Scanning 250
470 Medical Imaging - MRI 253
480 Medical Imaging - PET 258
490 Mortuary Unit 265
500 Nuclear Medicine Unit 268
510 Obstetric Unit 274
520 Operating Unit 280
530 Orthotics Unit 290
540 Paediatric/ Adolescent Unit 298
545 Palliative Care Unit 304
550 Pathology Unit 311
560 Pharmacy Unit 315
590 Public Amenities Unit 321
600 Radiotherapy Unit 324
610 Rehabilitation Unit 330

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620 Renal Dialysis Unit 336
630 Secure Extended Care Unit 341
635 Spiritual/ Meditation Unit 350
640 Staff Amenities Unit 351
650 Sub-acute Care Unit 354
660 Supply Unit 362
670 Waste Management Unit 365
680 Furniture & Equipment 369
690 Traffic and Car Parking 371
700 Services Briefing 374
Part C - Access, Mobility, OH & S

710 Space Standards & Dimensions 378
720 Ergonomics 383
730 Human Engineering 389
750 Signage 391
760 Doors 394
765 Grab Rails & Hand Rails 399
770 Windows and Glazing 400
780 Floors 403
785 Acoustics 407
800 Security 410
Part D - Infection Control

820 General Requirements 416
825 Handwashing Facilities 417
830 Isolation Rooms 419
860 Physical Environment 420
880 Surfaces & Finishes 422
900 Construction & Renovation 424
910 Verification 426

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10 INTRODUCTION
General
10 .1.00 This document and its various attachments represent the minimum Design
Guidelines for Hospitals and Day Procedure Units (DGHDP). They may be
referred to as 'the DGHDP' or 'these Guidelines' through the text.
For a quick start, please refer to the section under "How to Read"
10 .2.00 These Guidelines do not represent the ideal or best standards. Neither do
they cover management practices beyond the influence of design. The main
aims of these guidelines is to:
- Establish the minimum acceptable standards for design and construction
- Maintain public confidence in the standard of Health Care Facilities
- Determine the basis for the approval and registration of private hospitals
- Provide general guidance to designers seeking information on the special
needs of typical Health Care Facilities
- Promote the design of health facilities with due regard for safety, privacy
and dignity of patients, staff and visitors
- Eliminate design features that result in unacceptable practices
- Update guidelines to meet current medical practices
- Eliminate duplication between various standards.
10 .3.00 These Guidelines were compiled by Health Projects International for the
Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2002. Many existing
guidelines and standards used in Australia and the United States of America
have been evaluated in order to arrive at the requirements of these guidelines.
These can be found in the credits list. Furthermore, these are forward looking
guidelines, reasonably anticipating and allowing for emerging health care
practices.
10 .4.00 Although design has a major impact on the quality of health care, it is not the
only influence. Management practices, staff quality and regulatory framework
potentially have a greater impact. Consequently, compliance with these
guidelines can influence but not guarantee good health care outcomes.
10 .5.00 It should be noted that Private Nursing Homes are included in Classification
IXA Institutional Health Care Building of the Victoria Building Regulations.
Through amendments No. 3 and 4, which came into force on 1 July 1986, the
following basic building matters are now covered by the Victoria Building
Regulations:
- Structural Integrity
- Basic Health and Amenity
- Fire Safety and Fire Resistance.
Only briefing and functional design matters are covered by these guidelines.
10 .6.00 These Guidelines place emphasis on achieving Health Care Facilities that
reflect current health care procedures in a desirable environment for patient
care at a reasonable facility cost.
10 .7.00 The model standards suggested in the Guidelines are performance and
service oriented. Where prescriptive measurements are given, these have
been carefully considered relative to generally recognised standards. These
standards are self evident and do not require detailed specification.

02-Nov-04
General
10 .8.00 In many instances it may be desirable to exceed minimum requirements to
achieve optimum standards. For example, doorways that are wider than the
stated minimum patient bedroom door width will minimise damage to beds
and door frames where frequent traffic may occur.
Administrative Provisions
10 .9.00 Equivalent Alternatives
The primary objective of the Guidelines is to achieve a desired performance

result or service. Prescriptive limitations, when given, such as exact minimum
dimensions or quantities, describe a condition commonly recognised as a
practical standard for normal operation.
Where specific measurements, capacities or other standards are described,

equivalent alternative solutions may be deemed acceptable if it is
demonstrated that the intent of the standards has been met.
It is important to note that these Guidelines are not designed to restrict

innovation which might improve performance and/or outcomes.
10 .10.00 Compliance and Accreditation
Compliance with these Guidelines does not imply that the facility will
automatically qualify for accreditation by the Australian Council on Health
Care Standards.
Accreditation is primarily concerned with hospital management and patient

care practices, although the standard of facility is certainly a consideration.
For detailed information on accreditation requirements contact:

Australian Council on Health Care Standards
PO Box 95
Waterloo NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 9662 2311

Fax: (02) 9662 6370
for detailed information on accreditation requirements.
Glossary of Terms
10 .11.00 the Act - An Act of Parliament
Acceptable standard - A standard acceptable to the Department of Human

Services, Victoria.
Area, space - The Guideline requirement need not be fully enclosed but form
part of a larger space; for example trolley park alcove off a corridor.
Building Code of Australia - Building Code of Australia (1996) and any

subsequent amendments or updates.
Building Service Equipment - equipment items including heating, air-

conditioning, ventilation, humidification, filtration, chillers, electrical power
distribution, emergency power generation, energy / utility management
systems, and other equipment with the primary function of a building service.
Compliance - To act or provide in accordance with the requirements or

recommendation of these Guidelines or referenced standards or regulations.

02-Nov-04
Day Procedure Centre (DPC) - A facility primarily composed of a Day
Procedure Unit with additional support facilities. This may be stand-alone or
attached to a hospital or medical centre.
Disabled facilities - Facilities that are designed for use by the disabled, to AS
1428 series.
Egress - A safe means of escape in the event of an emergency.
Ensuite - A room fitted out with a shower, a toilet and a basin/mirror

combination. An Ensuite associated with a bedroom should have a door which
opens directly off the bedroom. There are other types of Ensuites such as
Shared Ensuites. Variations are fully and semi-assisted types.
Facility - The physical aspects of the development; for example the buildings.
Fixed Equipment - items that are permanently fixed to the building or

permanently connected to a service distribution system that is designed and
installed for the specific use of the equipment.
Fully assisted facilities - Facilities for toileting, showering and bathing that are
designed for the patient to be assisted by two staff members.
Guidelines - A collection of requirements and recommendations, some

mandatory, some non-mandatory, which describe a minimum level of facility
provision.
Inpatient Unit - The module by which a hospital is developed to ensure cost

efficient nurse coverage for patient safety and service for example one
inpatient unit = 32 acute patient bedrooms = One ward.
Interpretation - The meaning of something as understood by the Department

of Human Services, Victoria.
LDR - Labour, Delivery, Recovery room within a Birthing Unit.
LDRP - Labour, Delivery, Recovery, Post Partum room within a Birthing Unit.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis - A technique of economic evaluation that sums the
costs of initial investments, replacements, operations, and maintenance and
repair of an investment decision over a given study period.
Minimum - The least level of provision that is considered necessary for a given
function. Anything below minimum is considered unsatisfactory.
Mobile Equipment - mobile equipment items (medical or non-medical) that

require electrical or mechanical connections or floor space but are portable,
such as wheeled items, moveable office furnishings and monitoring
equipment.
Office or Room - The function is to be fully enclosed to create its own space
for example Birthing Room, Operating Room. This is in contrast to the
definition of ' Workstation or 'Space/Bay' where the function is within a larger
area which contains other items or users.
Optimum - The preferred level of provision, not necessarily the best, but
higher than the minimum level.
PACU - Post Anaesthesia Care Unit within a Day Procedure Unit or Operating
Unit.
Partially assisted facilities - Facilities for toileting, showering and bathing that
are designed for the patient to be assisted by one staff member.

02-Nov-04
Patient Care Area - Area as defined in the Building Code of Australia part of
Health Care Facilities normally used for the treatment, care, accommodation,
recreation, dining and holding of patients, including a ward and treatment area.
Private Hospital - A registered premises where persons are provided with

health services of a prescribed kind or kinds and for which a charge is made
and includes a privately-operated hospital but does not include -
- a public hospital or denominational hospital
- a day procedure centre
- a residential care service
Radiographer (Medical Imaging Technologist) - A person eligible for

membership with the Australian Institute of Radiography who is permitted by
the Radiological Council to operate major x-ray equipment under the direction
and supervision of a licensed Radiologist.
Shall - Implies that the requirement referred to is mandatory.
Should - The item being discussed requires attention and a suitable solution
such as the one provided. However the example given is not mandatory. In
short "Should" is not as strong as "Shall".
Standards - The Standards of the Standards Association of Australia or parts

of these Guidelines depending on the context.
Treatment Area - Area as defined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) - an

area within a Patient Care Area such as an Operating Suite or Unit and rooms
used for recovery, minor procedures, resuscitation, intensive care and
coronary care from which a patient may not be readily moved.
X-ray Operator - A person who has received approval by the Radiological

Council to perform a range of X-ray examinations, limited to chests and
extremities, using low powered mobile X-ray equipment.
Maintenance
10 .12.00 Refer to Section E5 of the Building Code of Australia - Maintenance.
In designing and detailing a Hospital or Day Procedure Unit, the recurrent

costs involved in maintaining the building stock should be an important
consideration. The aim being to prevent the building from deteriorating to the
point where the facility no longer complies with these Guidelines. Hospital
proprietors are encouraged to consider establishing an asset management
program to ensure that building stock is maintained to an appropriate
standard. The architect and engineers should optimise the impact of
maintenance on the life cycle costs of the facility, with obvious due
consideration to the proprietor’s capital commitment. Selection of building
material, finish, fitments, plant etc., and maintenance access are all important
considerations.

02-Nov-04
20 TERMS OF REFERENCE
Objectives
20 .1.00 The Department’s prime concern is in the area of patient care. These
Guidelines are intended to enhance the quality of patient care by ensuring that
hospital facilities are designed to provide appropriate living conditions and
standards of care for patients, staff and visitors.
Facilities Covered
20 .2.00 The following health facilities are included in these Guidelines:
- Public Hospitals
- Privately Operated Public Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Day Procedure Units (within hospitals or separate)
- Integrated Care Centres (ICC)
- Mental Health Inpatient Facilities
- Rehabilitation Centres
- Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Centres
- Palliative Care Centres
20 .3.00 The following health facilities are excluded from these Guidelines:
- Community Residential Facilities

- Aged Residential Care Facilities
- Supported Residential Services
- Medical Practitioners and Consulting Rooms
- Pharmacies (Retail Stand-alone)
- Stand-alone Dental Health Services
20 .4.00 The facilities listed above may be public or private or any combination of the
two. These guidelines apply equally to all such facilities.
New and Refurbished Buildings

20 .5.00 These Guidelines apply to all new facilities or existing facilities being
refurbished as one of the health facility type covered.
Requirements for full compliance for a whole unit when a partial

redevelopment is proposed will be determined in consultation with the
Department of Human Services.
For existing planning units within health buildings that are being cosmetically
redecorated without replanning, compliance with these Guidelines is confined
to those applying to surfaces and finishes being altered.
New and Refurbished Engineering Services

20 .6.00 These Guidelines apply to the engineering services of all new health facility
types covered.
Refurbishment or upgrading of existing Health Facility Engineering Services

such as HVAC services, hydraulic services, medical gas services, electrical
and communication services, will require compliance with these Guidelines in
the same manner but independently of the building works.
Engineering services within existing planning units that are being refurbished
by more than 50% (of area coverage), with or without re-planning, will require

02-Nov-04
full compliance with these Guidelines for the entire planning unit. All
refurbishment work within the previous three years will be counted as part of
the 50% calculation of areas.
For engineering services within existing planning units that are being
refurbished by no more than 50% (of area coverage) compliance with these
Guidelines is highly recommended.
If compliance with these Guidelines is required due to any building work,

change of use or services upgrade, then compliance with all engineering
requirements also is required.
For example, if the air-conditioning system for 70% of an existing Operating

Unit is being refurbished, then the entire air- conditioning system for the Unit
should comply with these guidelines.
New Facility Types

20 .7.00 New facility types are proposed from time to time due to the changes in health
practice. These new facility types do not necessarily invalidate the
requirements of these Guidelines. In situations where the names of facilities
and their processes are changed, the fundamental requirements of similar
facilities or processes should be followed. In other words, changing the names
of facilities (or sub-components) will not alter their minimum requirements.

02-Nov-04
30 HOW TO READ
The Structure of these Guidelines

30 .1.00 These Guidelines are structured as follows:
Parts: The Guidelines are divided into parts. The intention is to cover each
discrete subject in a compartmented fashion to avoid duplication of the same
information under different Hospital units.
30 .2.00 The parts are as follows:
Part A Introduction and Instructions for Use

Part B Health Facility Briefing and Planning
Part C Access, Mobility, Occupational Health & Safety
Part D Infection Control
Part E Building Services and Environmental Design
Enclosures
- Standard Components Room Data Sheets
- Standard Components Room Layout Sheets
- Functional Relationships Diagrams
30 .3.00 HEADINGS
These represent the main topics in each part.
SUB-HEADINGS
These cover the details of each Heading.
CLAUSES
This represents one discrete concept or topic under the sub-heading.
NOTES
These expand the clause by giving more explanations or examples of ways to
achieve the main intent of the clause.
30 .4.00 LEVELS OF RECOMMENDATION
MANDATORY
All clauses by default are mandatory. In situations where the text has the
potential for misunderstanding, the note "mandatory" may be used to clarify
any aspect which is absolutely required without re-interpretation. If the word
"Mandatory" does not appear in a clause, it does not indicate that the clause is
optional.
RECOMMENDATION
On some occasions a standard is mandatory but a higher standard is
recommended. The intention is to guide designers who wish to voluntarily
upgrade the facility to a higher standard and wish to know what the higher
standard is.
OPTIONAL
Shows clauses that are not mandatory requirements but are non-mandatory
alternatives.
30 .5.00 CHARTS AND TABLES

Certain concepts, especially numerical standards, are expressed in charts and
tables. Similarly, parametric requirements, depending on the size of
components, may be expressed in charts and tables.

02-Nov-04
DIAGRAMS AND DRAWINGS
Depending on the context and notation, the items illustrated are either
mandatory, recommended or optional. The text will make this clear.
PICTURES
These provide a visual context for the issues being covered. The issues or
subjects may be mandatory, however, the pictures are only examples.
The Style of these Guidelines

30 .6.00 These guidelines are expressed in a combination of performance based
standards and prescriptive requirements. In the interest of clarity, only one
subject is covered per clause.
Unless otherwise noted, all performance based and prescriptive guidelines are
mandatory. However, where appropriate additional information is provided to
guide designers.
Checklists
30 .7.00 At the end of each major section of these Guidelines, a checklist is provided
for the users’ convenience. The purpose of these checklists is to verify
compliance with the key prescriptive requirements. The checklists themselves
are not part of the mandatory requirements of these Guidelines.
How to Measure Drawings

30 .8.00 To measure drawings, the following measurement technique will apply.
FOR ROOMS
- Areas are measured to the inside face of outside walls,

- To centre of walls to adjoining rooms,
- To the full thickness of corridor walls facing rooms,
- To the centre of departmental boundary walls (except where boundary wall
adjoins a corridor).
Areas not included are:

- Circulation % (represented by Departmental corridors)
- Service risers, Service cupboards and Plant Rooms
- Fire Hose Reels, Fire Stairs, Lift Shafts
30 .9.00 FOR DEPARTMENTAL CORRIDORS REPRESENTING CIRCULATION %
- Areas are measured to the face of corridor walls

- To the inside face of outside walls

- Service Risers, Service Cupboards and Plant Rooms
- Fire Hose Reels, Fire Stairs Lift Shafts
30 .10.00 FOR 'TRAVEL'
- Corridors between departments (HPUs) to the face of corridor walls

- To the inside face of outside walls
- Stairs including Fire Stairs
- Internal Fire Stairs and ramps.

- Service risers and cupboards
- Fire Hose Reels, Lift Shafts

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- Plant Rooms.
30 .11.00 FOR ENGINEERING
- Plant Rooms, Fire Hose Reels and Service Cupboards to the centre of
adjoining walls,
- To the inside face of outside walls,
- To the full thickness of riser walls.
Areas not included are Lift Shafts (the void area).
30 .12.00 The minimum room sizes in these Guidelines assume wall thicknesses of 100
mm. For wall thicknesses of more than 120 mm, the minimum area of the
room (as measured in accordance with these Guidelines) shall be increased
to compensate for the greater wall thickness.
30 .13.00 Refer to Enclosures - Area Measurement Diagrams A1.1 and A1.2 for a visual
representation of these area measurements.
Legend of Colours for Diagrams

30 .14.00 Refer to the attached Enclosures for the Legend of Colours used in the
Functional Relationships Diagrams.

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Part A - Introduction and Instructions for Use Enclosure
LEGEND OF COLOURS FOR FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS DIAGRAMS
Administration
Circulation
Dedicated Lifts
Education
General Lifts
Inpatient Beds
Outpatient Services
Plant Rooms
Procedural
Research
Stairs
Support Services

40 ADMINISTRATION
Interpretation of these Guidelines

40 .1.00 These guidelines define the minimum requirements for hospitals and day
procedure centres. Variation from these requirements requires approval from
the Department of Human Services.
Private Health Care Facilities

40 .2.00 The Department and its officers will administer these requirements on the
basis that they are guidelines. This will be taken into account in determining
applications related to the registration and construction of Private Hospitals
and Day Procedure Units.
If at any time subsequent to the registration and construction of Private Health

Care Facilities, an inspection is required or organised by the Department,
continued compliance with these guidelines will be expected.
40 .3.00 It is emphasised that compliance with these Guidelines is only one element of
the Private Hospital registration process. Conformity with other service
planning criteria and relevant regulations is essential. It is assumed that other
facets of the overall service planning process have already been finalised or
are proceeding concurrently. In particular, the need for any proposed facility
will have already been established and agreed, as will the size and range of
services to be provided.
Inspections
40 .4.00 No patients shall occupy uninspected unapproved facilities
40 .5.00 The proprietor shall give notice in writing to the Department a minimum of ten
working days before the anticipated completion date so that the premises can
be inspected prior to occupancy.
40 .6.00 The building shall be deemed acceptable for final building and nursing
inspections when it has been completed according to approved plans and
specifications, is connected to all services, and has been issued a Certificate
of Occupancy by the Local Government Authority. The site shall be cleared of
all rubbish and building equipment. Fittings and furnishings shall be in place
and operational at this time, for registration under the Health Service Act,
1988.
Public Health Care Facilities

40 .7.00 These Guidelines are the minimum requirement for the briefing, planning and
construction of Public Hospitals.
The Department of Human Services will administer compliance with these

guidelines through the brief development, conditions of employment for design
consultants and contractors, as well as internal management policies.
Approval In Principle Process

40 .8.00 Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres must comply with these
guidelines and go through an approval process. The steps involved in the
approval process, related to compliance with these Guidelines are
summarised below and shown in the attached Enclosure. Applicants should
contact the DHS for queries and further requirements of the approval process.

02-Nov-04
STEP 1
Proprietors and designers will have ready access to these Design Guidelines
on the Web. Furthermore, a simple compliance checklist can be obtained from
the DHS. Blank versions of the checklist are included in the Design
Guidelines.
STEP 2
The design documents including plans are submitted to the DHS, together
with a Schedule of Accommodation and a completed and signed compliance
checklist.
DHS assess the application in accordance with the new Design Guidelines
and issue an Approval In Principle (AIP) with or without conditions. The design
documents submitted for this step must be equal to that required for a Building
Permit by a registered building surveyor. The engineering documentation will
require a compliance checklists signed and certified by qualified engineers.
The design documents are submitted to a Building Surveyor together with self-
certification by the design engineers. The Surveyor will provide a Building
Permit after ensuring that the design is in compliance with the AIP. Any
changes, deviating from the AIP and/or the prescriptive portions of these
Design Guidelines must be referred back to the DHS for a variation of the AIP.
STEP 3
Upon the completion of construction, the Surveyor inspects the building and
provides an occupation certificate. This certificate is submitted to the DHS
together with engineers’ certificates. DHS organises an inspection of the
building to ensure compliance with the AIP.
STEP 4
Subject to compliance with all DHS administrative requirements as well as the
original AIP, the facility is registered or an existing registration is modified.
Engineering Services Approval

40 .9.00 In the case of Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Units, the Consulting
Engineer shall certify that the facility complies with the following:
- Part E of these guidelines
- Documentation submitted for approval and/or registration
- Approval in Principle
- Any conditions imposed on the approval
- Other statutory codes and guidelines including the BCA

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Part A - Introduction and Instruction for Use Enclosure
APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE & REGISTRATION PROCESS
APPLICANT D.H.S
Design Hospitals • D.H.S.H & D.P DESIGN GUIDELINES

• HEALTH SERVICES ACT1988
+ DPC’s
STEP 1 •
•
REGULATIONS FOR PRIVATE
HOSPITAL & DAY PROCEDURES
Submission to DHS
D.H.S
Building Permit AIP • REVIEWS PLANS & DOCUMENTS
by Building Surveyor • REVIEWS COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
• IDENTIFIES AREAS OF
STEP 2 Issued
APPROVAL FOR CONSTRUCTION

TO COMMENCE
Occupation Certificate Submit to

D.H.S ON SITE INSPECTION OF
HEALTH FACILITY BUILDING
by Surveyor
STEP 3 DHS
Complete registration Submit to

Registration
STEP 4 requirements
DHS

45 ROLE DELINEATION AND LEVELS OF SERVICE
Definition
45 .1.00 Role Delineation refers to a level of service that describes the complexity of
the clinical activities undertaken by that service. Each level of service has
associated minimum standards, support services and staffing profiles
considered appropriate.
45 .2.00 The Levels of Service referred to in Schedules of Accommodation in these

Guidelines are based on the NSW Health model 'Guide to the Role
Delineation of Health Services' which is widely used around Australia.
The NSW Health model 'Guide to the Role Delineation of Health Services' has
not been reproduced in these Guidelines, but can be obtained separately.
45 .3.00 Levels of Service range from 0 to 6 for each major clinical activity or support
service associated with health facilities with Level 0 referring to the lowest
complexity service and Level 6 describing the most complex.
Not all services which are provided by health care facilities are described in
the Role Delineation Guide - only the core services for hospitals and
community health facilities. Those services not identified will generally follow
the Role Delineation of the particular hospital or facility they are applicable to.
A hospital or health care facility is considered as a particular level when the

majority of clinical and support services provided are of that particular level.
It is possible to determine the role delineation level of a particular hospital

component or the entire hospital between two defined levels, eg between
levels 4 & 5. This usually applies to existing facilities which may have minor
deficiencies in certain areas compared with the full definition of a role
delineation level.
Application
45 .4.00 The Role Delineation and Levels of Service are applicable to all hospitals and
health services. They may be used in a consistent manner to describe the
size, service profile and roles of the institutions in the region and to develop
functional and strategic plans.
45 .5.00 Based on the Role Delineation Levels, each service identified may be planned
and developed at the level necessary to meet the needs of the catchment
population for that service.
As a logical consequence of the definition of the level of service,

accommodation requirements of one level may vary from another level. The
generic schedules of accommodation included in these Guidelines make this
distinction clear.
As part of the AIP process, applicants for Private Hospitals and Day
Procedure Centres will be required to declare the level of service the facility is
designed for.

02-Nov-04
50 ABBREVIATIONS
General
50 .1.00 Throughout these Guidelines and in Health Facility Design in general, certain
definitions and abbreviations are commonly used. In order to standardise the
definitions and guide new designers, some of these abbreviations are listed
here. This is not a comprehensive list.
50 .2.00 ADL - Activities of Daily Living

ADMIN - Administration
AFFL - Above Finished Floor Level
AIP - Approval in Principle
ANAES - Anaesthetic Induction Room
BCA - Building Code of Australia
CCTV - Closed circuit television
CCU - Cardiac / Coronary Care Unit
CLEAN - Cleaner's Room
CLN - Clean-Up Room (as in Operating Unit)
CSSU - Central Sterile Supply Unit
CT - Computerised Tomography
CU - Clean Utility
DDA - Disability Discrimination Act
DHS - Department of Human Services
DIN - Dining
DU - Dirty Utility
ECG - Electrocardiograph
ECT - Electro-convulsive Therapy/ Treatment
ED - Emergency Department
END - Endoscopy
ENG - Engineering and Maintenance
ENS - Ensuite
ENT - Ear, Nose & Throat
EPA - Environmental Protection Authority
EQUIP - Equipment Room or Bay
ESD - Environmentally Sustainable Design
GEN - General as in GEN X-RAY
GP - General Practitioner
GPO - Socket Outlet formerly known as General Power Outlet
H - Height
HDU - High Dependency Unit
HEPA - High Efficiency Particulate Air
HOLD - Holding Room or Bed Bay
HPU - Hospital Planning Unit
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning
ICU - Intensive care Unit
IV - Intravenous
KG - Kilogram
KIT - Kitchen or Catering
LDR - Labour Delivery, Recovery - Birthing Room
LIN - Linen Room or Bay
M - Metres
M2 - Square Metres
MAMO - Mammography
MEPA - Medium Efficiency Particulate Air
MED - Medical
mm - Millimetres
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
NICU - Neonatal ICU
OH&S - Occupational Health & Safety

02-Nov-04
OPT - Optional
OR - Operating Room
OT - Occupational Therapy
PABX - Private Automatic Box Exchange - (Switchboard)
PATH - Pathology
PHA - Pharmacy
Physio - Physiotherapy
QA - Quality Assurance
QTY - Quantity
RAD - Radiology
RCD - Residual Current Device
RPZ - Residual Pressure Limiting Valve
REC - Records
SCRUB - Scrub-up Room (in Operating Unit)
SES - State Emergency Service
SH - Shower
SURG - Surgical
TSSU - Theatre Sterile Supply Unit
ULT - Ultrasound
VDU - Video Display Unit
XRAY - X-ray Room

02-Nov-04
COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
No Item Yes No
1.0 Terms of Reference:

Have you understood the Terms of Reference and Objectives of these
1.1
Guidelines? □ □
2.0 How To Read
Have you understood the structure of these Guidelines, how to read it
2.1
and how to apply it correctly? □ □
3.0 Administration
Have you understood how these Guidelines will be administered in
3.1
relation to your project? □ □
4.0 Role Delineation
Have you determined the Role Delineation level applicable to each one
4.2
of the services in your project? □ □
Checked and certified by:
Name: ___________________________________ Date: ______________________________
Company: ___________________________________
Position ___________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________
DHS The Department of Human Services, Victoria 02-Nov-04

Design guidelines for hospitals and day procedure centres Issue 1

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Part A – Introduction and instructions for use

Issue 1 Release Notes

Use of Other Guidelines

DHS The Department of Human Services, Victoria

Part A - Introduction and Instructions for Use

45 Role Delineation and Levels of Service 17

Part B - Health Facility Briefing and Planning

110 Acute Spinal Unit 74

120 Administration Unit 77

130 Admissions Unit 81

134 Adult Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit 93

135 Aged Persons Acute Psychiatric Unit 102

140 Allied Health Unit 113

150 Ambulance Unit 123

170 Cardiac Catheterisation Unit 126

180 Catering Unit 130

190 Central Sterile Supply Unit (CSSU) 139

220 Child Care Unit 146

230 Cleaning/ Housekeeping Unit 147

240 Clinical Information Unit 150

250 Community Mental Health 153

260 Coronary Care Unit 160

270 Day Procedure Unit 164

DHS The Department of Human Services, Victoria

290 Education & Training Unit 177

300 Emergency Unit 181

310 Engineering & Maintenance Unit 195

320 Geriatric Evaluation & Management 199

340 Inpatient Accommodation Unit 200

350 Integrated Health Care Centres 207

360 Intensive Care - General 215

370 Intensive Care - Coronary 224

390 Intensive Care - Neonatal / Special Care Nursery 226

400 Intensive Care - Paediatric 231

410 Laundry / Linen Handling Unit 234

430 Main Entrance Unit 237

440 Medical Imaging - General 240

450 Medical Imaging - Angiography 246

460 Medical Imaging - CT Scanning 250

470 Medical Imaging - MRI 253

480 Medical Imaging - PET 258

490 Mortuary Unit 265

500 Nuclear Medicine Unit 268

510 Obstetric Unit 274

520 Operating Unit 280

530 Orthotics Unit 290

540 Paediatric/ Adolescent Unit 298

545 Palliative Care Unit 304

550 Pathology Unit 311

560 Pharmacy Unit 315

590 Public Amenities Unit 321

600 Radiotherapy Unit 324

610 Rehabilitation Unit 330

DHS The Department of Human Services, Victoria

630 Secure Extended Care Unit 341

635 Spiritual/ Meditation Unit 350

640 Staff Amenities Unit 351

650 Sub-acute Care Unit 354

660 Supply Unit 362