title: Using task analysis in healthcare design to improve clinical efficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the functionality of the proposed soiled workroom design for efficient and safe clinical activities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  As part of a hospital refurbishment program, the planning team of a United Kingdom National Health Service hospital requested a review of a proposed standardized room design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 7-day observational study was conducted in five clinical departments at three hospitals. Link analysis was used to record and analyze the movements among components, i.e., nursing staff, equipment/devices, and furniture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four observations were recorded for 18 clinical tasks. The most frequent tasks were the disposal of urine and used urine bottles, and returning used commode chairs. Minor recommendations were made to improve the proposed design, and major revisions were suggested to address functionality problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was found that the proposed design did not offer the optimal layout for efficient and safe clinical activities. Link analysis was found to be effective for plotting the movements of the staff and accounting for the complexity of tasks. This ergonomic method, in combination with observational field studies, provided a simple and effective way to determine functional space requirements for clinical activities and should be used in all healthcare building design projects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University, UK.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hignett
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019370:Observation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom