Evaluation methods for hospital facilities

Aneta Fronczek-Munter

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Initial position & background: There are various methods and tools for evaluating facilities. The focus is usually on the technical building performance, function/usability or form/beauty. Examples are: Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) and Usability Appraisal. Nevertheless, evaluations of buildings in use are seldom. They are considered a long and expensive part of the final phase of a building project. Therefore the experiences of finished building projects are not collected and mistakes are repeated.
    Problem & task description: This paper lists different types of evaluation methods ordered according to focus areas and proposes which evaluation methods to use in different building phases of healthcare facilities. Hospital evaluations with experts and users are also considered; their subjective view on space, function, technology, usability and aesthetics.
    Results & solutions: This paper presents the different methods for evaluating buildings in use in a new model, the Evaluation Focus Flower, and proposes which evaluation methods are suitable for various aims and building phases, i.e. which is giving best input for the initial briefing process of new hospital facilities with ambition of creating buildings with enhanced usability. Additionally various evaluation methods used in hospital cases in Denmark and Norway are presented. Involvement of users is proposed, not just in defining requirements but also in co-creation/design and evaluation of solutions. The theories and preliminary research results have relevance to researchers and practitioners planning new complex facilities, of any kind, not only hospitals.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalInternational Journal of Facilities Management
    Issue numberSpecial issue
    Pages (from-to)215-226
    ISSN1365-702X
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event12th EuroFM Research Symposium - Prague, Czech Republic
    Duration: 22 May 201324 May 2013

    Conference

    Conference12th EuroFM Research Symposium
    Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
    CityPrague
    Period22/05/201324/05/2013

    Bibliographical note

    This is a special issue with the conference papers from 12th EuroFM Research Symposium: FM for a sustainable future, edited by K. Alexander. ISBN 978-94-90694-02-9

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