Achieving Users' Needs in the Layout of Diagnostic Imaging Departments

AimThe study aims to explore and preliminarily address the needs of users in the diagnostic imaging departments. The identified needs have been translated into initial design concepts for a proposed layout of diagnostic imaging departments, informed by systematic literature review to address the requirements of patients, nurses, technologists, and radiologists. The research examines the potential influence of these design concepts on fulfilling users' needs.BackgroundThe imaging department is recognized as a main diagnostic unit in hospitals. Nearly all patient categories, including inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients, utilize this department, as do its staff members.MethodsA proposed layout for the department has been designed to address the demands of patients and staff while simplifying the flow of various patient kinds. Fifty experts, including healthcare designers, technologists, and radiologists in Saudi Arabia, evaluated this proposal through a questionnaire survey.ResultsThe findings demonstrate that the proposal could fulfill patients' requirements for flow organization (88%), privacy (78%), and reduced travel distance (70%), while also addressing staff demands for patient observation in waiting rooms (88%), travel efficiency (82%), and confidentiality (94%). This layout additionally supports family presence (78%), can improve the acoustic environment (86%), and enables daylight (92%).ConclusionThis study presents a layout for the imaging department that would potentially address the requirements of patients and staff; hence, it can enhance the healthcare environment within these facilities.