MIL-HDBK-1191
of equipment, such as dedicated elevators for movement of patients from
emergency to surgery, must be justified on the basis of required planning
configuration, the segregation of incompatible traffic, or operational
economical benefits.
17.2
TRAFFIC SEPARATION AND CIRCULATION.
Traffic is categorized as
follows:
a. Pedestrian - inpatient, outpatient, staff and visitor;
b. Vehicular - patient transport;
c. Equipment/Materials - sterile, clean and soiled equipment and
materials.
Review each category independently to determine its unique transportation
requirements.
17.2.1
Traffic Separation. Establish traffic patterns to separate the
various traffic types in an efficient, logical, safe and secure manner, while
maintaining levels of aseptic control consistent with the requirements of the
facility. Consider all of the following factors for separation for both
horizontal and vertical circulation: patient privacy; handicapped access;
aseptic control; routing efficiency; utilization of appropriate hardware
systems, safety and security. Where circulation conflicts occur, prioritize
traffic as follows:
a.
Patient
b.
Staff
c.
Equipment
d.
Visitors
e.
Materials/logistics.
When a facility is sufficiently large and complex to require more than four
elevators, separate passenger and vehicular elevators.
17.2.2
Circulation. Design the overall circulation to provide the most
direct routing practical. Place elevators on the direct horizontal path
between the areas they serve, wherever possible.
17.2.3
Equipment/MaterialsCirculation. Separate the equipment/materials
traffic from patient and visitor traffic as noted on the Elevator Traffic
Separation Guide Matrix, Figure 17.1. Where separate elevators are not
required, separate the materials traffic by schedule and policy. Careful,
simple and clear space planning can maximize separation between
visitor/patient and staff/materials/logistics. Primary horizontal materials
circulation should occur on a single level, with vertical penetrations that
are convenient to heavy use areas. It is undesirable for carts, pallet
trucks, and similar material carriers to be pushed long distances on floors
and corridors routinely traveled by patients or visitors. Establish
horizontal right-of-ways to:
a. Aid in directing traffic to the appropriate vertical core, while
avoiding inappropriate elevators and other building areas.
b. Provide high levels of patient privacy.
c.
Eliminate potential contamination of clean and sterile areas.
17.2.4
Automated Cart Traffic.
Do not plan automated cart traffic in
17-2
Previous Page
