ABSTRACT
The points system provides a simple method of assessing the design aspects of health care facilities which have a significant influence on their eventual operating costs. It is intended to assist planning teams working in the early stages of designing a health care facility. The system offers a systematic form of analysis which should be used in the preparation of development proposals as an aide-memoir, and as a method of comparing and evaluating alternative design solutions. It comprises seventeen worksheets which should be used by planning teams as a checklist of Design for Reduced Operating Costs factors. The system was developed by using the 'delphi' methodology and has been tested in a series of repeatability tests and field trials; and it is now being used for developments within the NHS.
Subject(s)
Costs and Cost Analysis/methods , Hospital Design and Construction/economics , Delphi Technique , Planning Techniques , State Medicine , United KingdomABSTRACT
All fires notified from one English Regional Health Authority for a six-year period were analyzed using a method developed by the Department of Fire Safety Engineering at Edinburgh University. Three of the important factors in fire safety--control of the fire, evacuation from threatened areas and the prevention of ignition--are evaluated and recommendations are made with regard to them.
