An outpatient unit is a dedicated area within a healthcare facility where patients receive medical consultations, minor treatments, and diagnostic services without requiring overnight admission.
These units are typically composed of reception areas, waiting zones, consultation rooms, diagnostic facilities, and minor procedure rooms, all strategically designed to support a high turnover of patients with efficiency and care.
In recent years, outpatient care has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery. With the rising demand for accessible, cost-effective treatment, many procedures that once required hospitalization are now safely managed in outpatient settings.
This shift reduces the burden on inpatient services while enhancing patient satisfaction and operational efficiency.
As healthcare evolves, the design of outpatient units must keep pace. A well-planned healthcare facility design ensures smooth patient flow, minimizes waiting times, supports staff workflow, and integrates the latest technologies for diagnostics and communication.
An optimized ambulatory care layout not only improves patient experience but also boosts the overall performance of the healthcare institution.
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1) Introduction
Outpatients Unit refers to health care services provided on a same-day basis. The following services may be accommodated in the Outpatients Unit:
- Multidisciplinary and specialist consultation and treatment clinics for medical and surgical sub-specialties
- Day-only Surgery
- Day-only Medical services (eg. Oncology and Haematology, Renal Dialysis)
- Dental
- General Practitioner Clinics
- Maternal and Child Health services
- Medical Imaging Services (eg. radiology, ultrasound and CT)
- Mental Health services
- Occupational Health
- Ophthalmology including Eyecare Centre
- Pathology collection and Urgent Testing service
- Pharmacy
- Radiotherapy
- Rehabilitation Therapy/ Allied Health services
- Telehealth
It is possible to provide the above health care services in independent Community Health Centres co-located or away from the Main Hospital. The Outpatients Unit will often include other retail / commercial services and other government/ non-government agencies.
2) Planning of Outpatients Unit
i) Operational Models
Operational policies for each health care facility may affect the planning of an Outpatients Unit. These may include:
- The normal operating hours of the facility
- Medical records management
- The selection of Outpatients services provided within the facility
- Sharing support facilities between various FPUs
ii) Planning Models
There are various options for locating an Outpatients Unit including:
- a stand-alone facility in a community location
- a unit integrated within a commercial development (eg. shopping malls)
- a unit as part of a larger Hospital Facility
The configuration of an Outpatients Unit is dependent on the following factors:
- the location of the Unit (eg. stand-alone or integrated within a larger facility)
- the population which the unit will serve
- the types of service mix
- the level of staffing required for the Unit
iii) Functional Areas
Core Unit
The Outpatients Unit may consist of a large number of sub-units. It may range in form from a small stand-alone unit to a large multi-disciplinary facility.
The Core Unit described in this Guideline would be appropriate for a small multidisciplinary unit or the primary core of a larger Unit as required by adding other peripheral units to suit the service plan of the subject facility.
Unit Functional Zones
The Core Unit consists of the three following key functional areas:
- Reception/ Admission Area
- Patient Areas including waiting and treatment
- Staff Areas
Additional units may also be added to form part of the following FPUs:
- Dental Unit
- Interventional Cardiology
- Medical Imaging Services (eg. general radiology, ultrasound and CT)
- Occupation Health
- Ophthalmology
- Operating Unit
- Pathology collection and urgent testing service
- Pharmacy
- Renal Dialysis Unit
iv) Functional Relationships
External
The Outpatients Unit may have working relationships with many other Units depending on the location of the Unit – either a free-standing facility or part of a larger facility.
The proximity of the following areas shall be considered when designing:
- Car Park / Drop off Zone
- Day Procedures / Surgery.
- Emergency
- Main Entry
- Medical Imaging
- Outpatients
- Pharmacy
- Pathology
- Transit Lounge
Considering the above, the Outpatients Unit is commonly located on the ground level within a multi-storey hospital.
Internal
The internal planning of the Outpatients Unit shall be planned by considering the functional areas mentioned above. Some of the critical relationships to be considered are as below:
- Flexibility in accommodating various types of use throughout different hours in the day;
- Sections of the Unit can be secured when not in use;
- Reception and Admission Area – this area must allow patients to move conveniently to and from the treatment areas and accommodate high volume of patients, support staff, care-takers and mobility aids;
- Patient Treatment and Waiting Area – must promote efficiency from the staff perspective and a pleasant environment for all patient types from regular patients with chronic conditions to those who may only visit a few times.
- Staff Area – staff must be able to move easily to and from the Treatment Area, and to and from the Reception/ Admission Area; a quiet area with privacy for the staff where they can work without interruptions from patients and their accompanying relatives is recommended.
It is crucial for the three functional areas to work effectively together to allow for an efficient, safe and pleasant environment in a smaller unit, or to create the core of a larger, more complex unit.
3) Design of Outpatients Unit
i) General
Design needs to accommodate all types of patients using the Unit, many of whom may be acutely ill. Provision shall be made for wheelchairs, mobility aids, families with children and prams within the Unit.
ii) Environmental Considerations
Natural Light
Where possible, the use of natural light shall be maximised within the Unit. Sufficient level of natural lighting can provide a sense of wellbeing for both staff and patients and is more likely to lead to better service outcomes.
Provision of a pleasant outlook and access to natural light can reduce discomfort and stress for patients.
Privacy
Staff observation of patients and patient privacy must be well-balanced within the Unit. The following features shall be integrated to the design of the Unit:
- Doors and windows to be located appropriately to guarantee patient privacy and not comprise staff security.
- confidentially of patient discussions and patient record
Acoustics
The following functions require careful consideration of acoustic privacy:
- noisy areas like Public Waiting shall be located further away from the treatment spaces and staff areas
- interview areas with clients where confidential information will be discussed
- discussion areas for staff where confidential patient information will be shared
- consultation/ treatment areas where disturbing noise is likely to happen shall be located in acoustically treated rooms
iii) Space Standards and Components
Accessibility – External
Patients who visit an Outpatients Unit are usually acutely ill requiring treatments. Thus, there shall be a weatherproof vehicle drop-off zone with easy access for less-mobile patients and wheelchair bound patients.
Ergonomics
Various functions will be performed at each treatment space. Thus, care shall be taken to provide optimal ergonomic functionality by considering all the possible configurations at each treatment space. Refer also to () of these Guidelines.
iv) Safety and Security
Equipment, furniture, fittings and the facility itself shall be designed and constructed to prevent injuries to all users where possible.
A high standard of safety and security can be achieved by careful configuration of spaces and zones:
- control access/ egress to and from the Unit
- optimise visual observation for staff
- similar functions shall be co-located for easy staff management
Access to public areas shall be considered with care so that the safety and security of staff areas within the Unit is not compromised. Refer also to () of these Guidelines.
v) Finishes
Floor and ceiling finishes shall be selected to suit the function of the space and promote a pleasant environment for patients, visitors and staff.
The following factors shall be considered:
- aesthetic appearance
- acoustic properties
- durability
- ease of cleaning
- infection control
- movement of equipment
Refer also to () and () of these Guidelines.
vi) Fixtures and Fittings
Refer to () of these Guidelines and Standard Components of individual rooms for information related to fixtures and fittings.
vii) Building Service Requirements
It is vital to provide reliable and effective IT/ Communications service for efficient operation of the Unit. The following items relating to IT/ Communication shall be addressed in the design of the Unit:
- bar coding for supplies, x-rays and records
- data entry (eg. scripts and investigative requests)
- hand-held computers
- PACS
- paging systems
- paperless patient records
- Patient Administration System (PAS)
Nurse Call and Emergency Call facilities shall be provided in all patient areas (eg. bed spaces, toilets and bathrooms) and clinical areas in order for patients and staff to request for urgent assistance.
The individual call buttons shall alert to a central module situated at or adjacent to the Staff Station, Staff Room and Meeting Rooms within the Unit. The alert to staff members shall be done in a discreet manner at all times.
Provision of Duress Alarm System is required for the safety of staff members who may at times face threats imposed by clients/ visitors.
Call buttons will be required at all reception/staff station areas and consultation/ treatment areas where a staff may have to spend time with a client alone. Refer also () of these Guidelines for further information.
Infection Control
Infectious patients and immune-suppressed patients may be sharing the same treatment space at the different times of the same day. Standard precautions must be taken for all patients
Handwashing facilities for staff within the Unit must be readily available. Where a handwash basin is provided, there shall also be liquid soap and disposable paper towels provided. For further details refer to () of these Guidelines.
4) Components of the Unit
i) General
The Outpatients Unit will contain a combination of Standard Components and Non-Standard Components. Provide Standard Components to comply with details in the Standard Components described in these Guidelines. Refer also to Standard Components Room Data Sheets and Room Layout Sheets.
ii) Non Standard Components
Entry Canopy
Description and Function – If a direct and separate entry is provided to the Unit at street level, an Entry Canopy shall be provided. The canopy shall be sized appropriately to permit full protection of vehicles including cars, ambulances, taxis, and mini-vans from weather.
Location and Relationships – The Entry Canopy shall be located next to the Lobby/ Airlock if one is provided.
Considerations – Apart from weather protection, the heights and the design of structural support of the canopy shall permit easy manoeuvring of all vehicles entering this area.
5) Schedule of Accommodation
Outpatients Unit Generic Schedule of Accommodation
Please note the following:
- Areas noted in Schedules of Accommodation take precedence over all other areas noted in the FPU.
- Rooms indicated in the schedule reflect the typical arrangement according to the Role Delineation.
- Exact requirements for room quantities and sizes will reflect Key Planning Units identified in the service plan and the policies of the Unit.
- Room sizes indicated should be viewed as a minimum requirement; variations are acceptable to reflect the needs of individual Unit.
- Office areas are to be provided according to the Unit role delineation and staffing establishment.
- Staff and support rooms may be shared between Functional Planning Units dependant on location and accessibility to each unit and may provide scope to reduce duplication of facilities.
6) Functional Relationship Diagram
Outpatients Unit Functional Relationship Diagram
