Public Comment Period Open for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities Guidelines
Proposals from the public are being sought for the development of the 2010 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities by the Heath Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC), with the support of the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Proposals from the public are being sought for the development of the 2010 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities by the Heath Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC), with the support of the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Guidelines recommend minimum program, space, and equipment needs for clinical and support areas of hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing and other long-term care facilities. The document also addresses minimum engineering design criteria for plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
To keep the Guidelines current with changes in medical practice, medical technology, and the administration of health care, a new edition of the document is published every four to five years, according to the AIA.
The content of the book is updated through a consensus process that offers two opportunities for public participation — a proposal period for suggesting additions, deletions, or changes to the existing text and a comment period for recommending modifications to the committee-generated draft document. The HGRC is the consensus body that takes the information provided through this public process and develops it into the final language of the document.
All interested parties are invited to propose changes — either revisions or additions of new material — to any part of the 2006 edition of the Guidelines, according to the AIA. Later in the revision process, the public will only be able to comment on proposed changes.
During the current revision cycle, the HGRC is addressing patient- and staff-related building design and construction issues such as:
• Use of patient lift devices
• Imaging technologies used in operating rooms
• Bariatric accommodations
• Sound design and vibration in health care environments
• Single-bed rooms beyond medical/surgical and obstetric facilities
• Environment of care
• Infection control
• Health care facility engineering
Following the period for making proposals, the HGRC will convene to consider all proposals that have been received, according to the AIA. A report capturing the results of this meeting will record whether proposals are revised or rejected, including the committee’s rationale for any changes or rejections.
The public proposal period will extend from May 1 to September 30, 2007. The HGRC will consider all proposed revisions and additions for inclusion in the next edition of the Guidelines, scheduled for publication in 2010. To make a propoasal, visit the
FGI Web site.
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