title: A Classification of Healthcare Facilities: Toward the Development of Energy Performance Benchmarks for Day Surgery Centers in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the literature, there is no consistent classification of healthcare facilities. In order to benchmark, assess, and compare the environmental performance of these buildings, it is important to clearly identify the typology within the scope of a particular research. This article identifies the different typologies within the healthcare sector, particularly in Australia, with the aim of the development of energy performance benchmarks for day surgery/procedure centers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Healthcare buildings encompass a wide range of facilities. They all share the same purpose of healing and offering a health service for patients. However, they vary significantly in terms of patient type and service provided. These buildings consume a considerable amount of energy, and as a result of the different designs and sizes, their pattern of energy consumption varies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research used a systematic review of the literature to determine how the term "healthcare facility" has been employed in different contexts. In order to better understand the differences in healthcare facilities, definitions and the origin of hospitals and healthcare facilities are introduced and a framework for the classification of healthcare facilities and hospitals is proposed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healthcare facilities are classified into the following six categories: patient type, care provided, management and ownership, level of care, facility size, and location. Based on these classifications, a categorization for the studies of energy performance in healthcare is introduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a basis for assessment and comparison for a particular healthcare building typology that will assist researchers working in the field of design and energy assessment of healthcare facilities.
authors: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Department of Architecture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt tarek.ahmed@deakin.edu.au.
authors: Tarek M F
authors: TM
authors: Ahmed
authors: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
authors: Priyadarsini
authors: P
authors: Rajagopalan
authors: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Fuller
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D019985:Benchmarking; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004779:Environment Design / Q000592:standards*; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D013531:Surgicenters / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards
keywords: classifications; day surgery; energy assessment; healthcare facilities; services