| Title |
Integrated Guidelines for the Architectural Design of Convertible Wards |
| Authors |
윤형진(Yoon, Hyung-Jin) ; 황영미(Hwang, Young-Mi) ; 이명식(Lee, Myung-Sik) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.3.41 |
| Keywords |
High-Risk Respiratory Infectious Diseases; Isolation Ward; Convertible Ward; Convertible Ward Assessment; Guidelines; Support Facilities for Convertible Wards |
| Abstract |
Convertible wards operate as general wards under normal conditions and switch to negative pressure isolation wards during outbreaks of
high-risk respiratory infections. Examples include Emergency Treatment Beds and Public Hospital Isolation Wards, but current standards focus
only on minimum conversion requirements and often overlook ward efficiency and accreditation. This study compared facility standards for
National Designated Isolation Beds, Emergency Treatment Beds, Public Hospital Isolation Wards, and general wards, and examined floor plans
from nine hospitals with 300 to 500 beds. Findings showed that patient rooms in convertible wards offer about 66 percent of the area
required for National Designated Isolation Beds. Anterooms are not always provided, which weakens isolation performance. Differences among
standards reflected reduced infection control requirements as well as distinct arrangements of support spaces. Floor plan analysis grouped
support spaces into convertible facilities such as PPE doffing rooms, maintainable facilities such as nurse stations, and facilities that must be
closed during conversion such as shared toilets. These needs varied according to zoning, circulation patterns, staff access, and the movement
of patients or caregivers. Based on these findings, the study recommends developing facility standards for convertible wards that unify general
ward operation with the ability to convert to negative pressure isolation wards while supporting necessary program and layout changes. |