In a healthcare facility, every second counts. Efficient supply unit design plays a crucial role in ensuring that medical staff have quick and easy access to the supplies they need, reducing delays and enhancing patient care.
Properly designed supply units streamline workflows, minimize errors, and optimize space utilization, contributing to a more organized and responsive environment.
Role in Enhancing Patient Care and Operational Efficiency
An optimized supply unit directly impacts patient outcomes by ensuring that life-saving equipment, medications, and consumables are always within reach.
It reduces the time staff spend searching for items, allowing them to focus more on patient care. From an operational standpoint, well-structured supply units enhance inventory control, reduce waste, and support cost-effective resource management.
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1) Introduction
The Supply Unit shall provide for the following functions:
- purchase and receipt of equipment and bulk medical supplies
- storage of bulk dry goods, consumables, intravenous fluids, drugs and flammable liquids
- storage of surplus hospital equipment and equipment awaiting repairs
- deliveries to hospital units for regular restocking of unit based supplies
2) Planning of Supply Unit
i) Planning Models
Supply Unit will consist of a number rooms and areas for storing high volumes of goods, equipment and furniture as necessary. They may vary in sizes to suit the need of the Facility. These storage areas may be located within the Unit itself or away from the Unit.
ii) Functional Areas
The Supply Unit may consist of the following Functional Areas:
- Loading Dock
- Receivals area
- Dispatch areas for stock awaiting collection
- Storage areas which may include bulk stores, palleted supplies, flammable stores, furniture and equipment, gas bottles and equipment for loan to outpatients
- Staff areas including Offices, Workstations and access to Staff Change and Toilets.
Receivals area
- A dedicated Receivals Area shall be provided for the receipt, checking, sorting and temporary holding of incoming stock. The Receivals Area will require off street unloading facilities.
- The Receivals Area shall be located adjacent to the Loading Dock and with ready access to the Bulk Store.
- Security for incoming stock will require consideration. Visual control of the area from the Store Manager’s office is recommended. The Receivals Area may include a workstation with computer.
Storage areas – equipment for loan
Additional storage areas for equipment for loan to patients and outpatients shall be provided in an amount not less than 5 percent of the total area of the Outpatient Facilities.
This may be combined with and in addition to the general stores or be located in a central area within the Outpatient Unit. This storage requirement is generally for therapy equipment and mobility aids loaned to patients. A portion of this storage area may be provided off-site.
iii) Functional Relationships
External
The Supply Unit may be located in a separate building on-site, but the preferred location is within the main building. A portion of the storage may be located off-site.
Protection against inclement weather during transfer of supplies shall be provided. Fire protection and security are important considerations.
Internal
The Bulk Store is the primary storage area for all delivered supplies and store prior to distribution to various Hospital Units.
It shall be located with ready access to the Loading Dock area. This area requires security and controlled access.
3) Design of Supply Unit
i) General
Loading Dock shall be a covered area for transport access to service Units for delivery or collection of goods and shall be zoned into clean and dirty areas.
This may be shared between a number of Support Service Units (eg. Catering Unit, Linen Handling, Supply Unit).
ii) Environmental Considerations
Natural light – Provide natural light to office and staff areas where possible.
iii) Space Standards and Components
Ergonomics – Consideration shall be given to the need for manual handling devices such as dock levellers. Refer also to () of these Guidelines.
Safety and security – All entrances and exits shall be secured. An intercom or call bell should be located at the dock entrance area to announce deliveries when doors are closed.
Finishes – Wall protection shall be installed to prevent damage to walls caused by all types of trolleys. Refer also to () of these Guidelines.
Fixtures and fittings – Refer to () of these Guidelines and Standard Components for information of fixtures and fittings.
Building service requirements – Refer to () of these Guidelines.
Infection control – Refer to () of these Guidelines.
4) Components of the Unit
i) General
The Supply 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
Receivals area
Description and Function – Refer to Planning – Functional Areas for a description of Receivals area. Sufficient space shall be provided in this area for sorting and unpacking.
Location and Relationships – The Receivals area shall be located with direct access to the Loading Dock.
Dispatch area
Description and Function – The Dispatch area will be used to hold stores that are ready to be collected by external contractors or delivered to hospital units.
Location and Relationships – The Dispatch area shall be located with direct access to the Loading Dock
5) Schedule of Accommodation
Supply Unit Generic Schedule of Accommodation
Schedule of Accommodation for a Supply Unit for Levels 3-6
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
Supply Unit Functional Relationship Diagram
