Design and planning of the patient bedroom has received a good deal of careful examination and review over the past several years, but one major component of the room, the patient toilet/shower room, has received relatively little attention. One reason for this silence may be because many owners and designers admit to being less than satisfied with these spaces. This presentation will focus on the issues and challenges of designing a good patient toilet/shower room, including concerns for patient safety, functionality and aesthetics.

The demands of the patient bedroom have usually determined the location, size, and configuration of the toilet/shower room. How does the location of the patient toilet/shower room (inboard or outboard, headwall or footwall) affect its function? As a subset of the patient bedroom, the size of the toilet/shower room has a direct impact on the overall size of the patient bedroom; every additional square foot of toilet/shower room either reduces the size of the bedroom or, more likely, increases the overall size of the bedroom and project. At the same time, there is an increase in both the size and number of bariatric patients and older, sicker patients who may require assistance in getting into and using the toilet/shower room. This presentation will examine the appropriate size of the patient bathroomone that isnt too large and cant be too small.

Consideration of patient safety remains a fundamental concern in healthcare design and should extend to the toilet/shower room. The status of existing research will be covered in the presentation, including door width, room configuration, finishes, infection prevention/control and other concerns.

Other factors that have an impact on the size and design of toilet/shower room include the desire for uniform design and universality of use. Rather than have a series of subset patient bedroom and patient toilet/shower room types, many hospitals would like to have identical patient bathrooms, bathrooms that can all be utilized by all, including those in wheelchairs and bariatric patients. Conflicts do exist between ADA requirements and best practices for larger patients, nursing staff convenience, and ergonomic recommendations made by some physical therapists; possible approaches to these issues will be discussed.

Control of water in the shower continues to be a challenge given the pressures of accessibility, infection prevention/control, and size limitations. This presentation will examine a range of potential solutions and successful installations.

In addition to the sink, toilet and shower, and grab bars, the patient bathroom must accommodate a variety of accessories, storage and patient amenity requirements, many of which are not always identified early in the design process. Understanding all the likely elements of the patient toilet/shower room can only contribute to a more functional and attractive result.

Even in difficult economic times, the desire for hospitality quality patient bathrooms has not diminished. This presentation will incorporate images of patient bathrooms from a variety of design firms, encompassing a range of styles, finishes, lighting and design solutions.

Visual material developed for the presentation will include projects from a number of design firms around the country, the results of workshops within the Shepley Bulfinch office, and interviews and discussions with owners.