Hospital planning — essential spatial considerations for functional design When designing a hospital layout, which of the following planning considerations are correct and should be incorporated to ensure hygiene, access control, and efficient patient flow?

Introduction / Context:
Health-care facilities require specialized planning to protect sterile areas, separate clean and dirty flows, and manage public access while ensuring rapid emergency response. The statements listed reflect standard functional requirements in hospital architecture and planning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• General hospital with in-patient wards, OT complex, emergency, and mortuary.
• Need for infection control and efficient circulation.
• Zoning for privacy, noise control, and safety.

Concept / Approach:

Operation theatres require a controlled, sterilized zone with limited access, located near wards to minimize patient transfer time. Mortuaries should be discreet and isolated from main public flows. Emergency/casualty needs a separate, directly accessible entrance for ambulances and triage to prevent congestion and cross-traffic with routine hospital functions.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Hospital planning guidelines and accreditation standards mandate zoning and access controls consistent with these statements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• The individual options are all true; picking any single one would be incomplete.

Common Pitfalls:

• Locating OT far from wards, increasing transfer times and risks.
• Routing emergency arrivals through public lobbies, causing delays.

Final Answer:

All of the above.