Academy of Architecture for Health

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  • 1.  Patient Toilets

    Posted 09-22-2011 08:30 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Technology in Architectural Practice and Academy of Architecture for Health .
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    We have gotten a lot of feedback from Nursing that the ADA mandated 18" from wall to centerline of toilet is  "too close to the wall" for the following reasons:

    1. General population is getting larger and 18", with toilet paper holders and grab bars just doesn't leave enough space.
    2.     There is a desire for more space to aid in patient assist for getting on and off the toilet.

    The apparent catch 22 is that in order to be "accessible" per ADA, patient toilet rooms have to be less than accommodating to nurses assisting patients. Are there studies, data or trends regarding the placement of patient toilets relative to the wall, non-compliance with ADA guidelines, provisions for patient assistance at toilets, or Bariatric accommodations in hospitals that we could reference?
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    Robert Schilling AIA
    Champlin Architecture
    Cincinnati OH
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  • 2.  RE:Patient Toilets

    Posted 09-23-2011 12:14 AM

    The 2010 guidelines has a section on Bariatric Care Units that gives some space requirements for room and toilets spaces
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    Margaret Gilbert AIA
    Colorado Springs CO
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  • 3.  RE:Patient Toilets

    Posted 09-23-2011 04:26 PM
    Robert,
    For what it is worth, look in the chapter in back dealing with medical facilities.  In the Texas Accessibility Standards (based on ADA) it is chapter 6.  Whatever you use in Ohio should be essentially the same.  According to the document used in Texas, general hospitals are required to construct 10% of each type of patient room as accessible.  You will also see several other criteria for certain treatment facilities, so you need to use caution here.  Nevertheless, it is not unusual for facilities to provide specially designed rooms for bariatric patients, including patient lifts for staff safety.

    The latest revision to ADA may have more to say on this subject, and you need to review it also if you are not already using it in Ohio. 

    Hope this helps

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    David Schele AIA
    Felder Group Architects Inc
    Austin TX
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  • 4.  RE:Patient Toilets

    Posted 10-24-2011 12:25 PM
    Robert,

    We have specialized in long term healthcare (perhaps different than your acute care) for several years and have been using a 24" distance from wall to centerline of toilet and adding a fold down grab bar to accommodate ADA for standard nursing care rooms. Our primary reason for the 24" is to help caregivers assist residents. In the facilities that have been in operation a couple years now, we've received good feedback that this distance and design was an improvement over the standard 18". One challenge we've encountered is finding bariatric rated fold down grab bars to meet design guidelines for weight when that is the design intent of the room.

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    D. Blake Wagner AIA
    Architect
    InterDesign
    Indianapolis IN
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    Original Message