EFFECTIVE CIRCULATION IN THE PROPOSED GENERAL HOSPITA KARSHI, NASARAWA STATE

EFFECTIVE CIRCULATION IN THE PROPOSED GENERAL HOSPITA KARSHI, NASARAWA STATE

ABSTRACT

Effective hospital circulation is synonymous of blood circulation in human body is a life wire of our well-being. Such a process is responsible for the distribution nutrients appropriately to every Nike and corner of the body. It is virtually the prime mover of every man’s biological characters, similarly, circulation in institutional complexes like hospitals, is a core determinant of the premises effective functionality to users. This study establishes the core strategies of effective circulation from secondary sources. Subsequently, these approaches were employed in the design of a rural hospital in karshi. The research outcome shows that hospital spatial order is characterized by safety convenience, aesthetic appeal affective functional relationship of activities.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Health care is a vital part of any society. The growth and wealth of a nation can be visible in the well-being of her citizens. Countries today are striving to improve healthcare services and boost productivity in workforce by improving life expectancy, sustained committed approach to reduce maternal-infant mortality rate, eradicating communicable disease and investing in human as well infrastructure.

Research have shown that most Nigeria hospital was constructed at the time the population was less than eighty million (80,000,000) today Nigeria has double in population with likelihood of reaching 240,000,000 by 2025, however, there has not been any commiserate increase in the number of hospitals neither has there been an expansion to cater for the rapid population growth.

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1.1    The Architectural Space and circulation.

In this study, Architectural space is the focus, therefore space is what we use in buildings (Hillier, 2007 p.19). According to pultar (1999), Architectural space is defined as subsets of the three-dimensional extension of the world around us such that it is entered by man, includes definite material elements, especially a base that allow one perceive its boundaries and is perceived as a whole, serves human function of habitation, shelter or circulation, and is intentionally built or appropriated by man to serve such function. According to this definition, space include not only well defined space such as halls and rooms but also arrangements of furniture so as to define a spatial expanse, allowing it to be perceived as a whole.

According to Baxter and Martin (2010) architectural space is used to shape and express identity. The notion of architectural space should also understand to include structures of space, that is sets of spaces (Pultar, 1999).

An important characteristic of architectural space is man’s involvement in its generation and his partaking of life in it.

For the purposes of this study, the term space will be used to mean architectural space. The same goes for circulation, which will be seen for the purpose of this work only as the circulation of architectural space in general hospital.

Encyclopedia defines circulation in the field of architecture as the way people move through and interact with a building. Circulation also means the pathways through a floor plan. These pathways are how we experience architecture. The design of these pathways has an enormous effect on the success or failure of a plan. In public buildings, circulation is of high importance, it is important to have a floor plan that allows continuous movement while minimizing the necessity to retrace one’s steps, allowing a visitor to see each work in a sequential, natural fashion. Structures such as elevator, escalators and staircases are often referred to as circulation element as they are position and design to optimize the flow of people through a building.

Circulation space ought to be interesting as any other part of a building. There are always unique opportunities to make circulation interesting. Circulation is usually applied in architecture is the movement of people and goods between interior spaces in buildings and to entrances and exits. Safe, convenient, rapid circulation is essential for all building under normal and for emergency condition, such circulation may be channeled through any of the several different types of passageways, such as lobbies, corridor, ramps, stairways, and elevator hoist ways.

Vertical circulation of human traffic in a multi-story building is like the key to successful functioning of the design both in normal or emergency, in fact, location of elevators or stair strongly influences the floor plan. So in the design of a building, much though should be given to the types of vertical circulation to be provide, number of unit needed, and their location arrangement and design.

Traffic way, pass from level to level in a multi-story building by ramps, stairs, elevators, or escalators. The powered equipment is always supplemented by stair for use when power is shut off or there is a mechanical failure, maintenance work is in progress. In addition to conventional elevators, other types of human lifts are installed in residences, factories and garages for moving small packages.

Obvious pathways include hall ways (horizon circulation) and stair (vertical circulation) but every space we are able to occupy is part of the circulation system of a building. Halls can be expanded to become spacious areas like vestibules, foyers, galleries and arcade. Vertical circulation can include elevators and escalator. Less obvious pathways are the spaces between and around furniture; the space in room where people are likely to walk. All of these variations on circulation are important aspects of architecture because it is through movement that we enjoy architecture as a three-dimension experience without movement architecture is merely a stage set.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.

The major problem associated with hospital has to do with circulation connectivity of spaces, the inter-relationship between spaces and the nearest between activity flows.

A hospital is a complex system of interrelated functions requiring constant movement of people and goods, this requiring good circulation. Circulation in healthcare buildings is importance to both patterns cause a lot of problem in the hospitals and even lead to accident such as collision between staff and patients.

Therefore the architectural problem, this study intends to address is the provision of good and efficient circulation in the design of a general hospital karshi, Nasarawa State.

1.2.1 AIM                                           

The primary aim of this research is to carry out an in-depth study on the planning of Effective circulation in general hospital that will enhance smooth movement and

direct to secure both patient and staff and is also aimed at proving a modern general

Hospital for karshi.

2.2.2    OBJECTIVES

• To identify and analyze functions of a health facility that restricts and affects smooth movement and direction.
• To study in order to apply the Patient Focused Care (PCF) concept or modelas it will aid in achieving effective circulation in the planning of a SpecialistHospital.

 1.3   MOTIVATION

There is a progressive upsurge in population of inhabitant of karshi, Nasarawa State.

The population has doubled which necessitates the need for the establishment of a secondary healthcare most of the building are converted building which were formally used for other use, like residential, before conversion.

This study tries to provide circulation guide in the design of general hospital in karshi, Nasarawa state and look forward to provide good circulation pattern.

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study seeks to contribute towards achieving considerable relieve in terms of achieving proper circulation in healthcare facilities, by focusing on improving the functionality of the building envelope, separating dissimilar activities while creating a sense of safety for both patient and staffs. This study also seeks to address the traffic conflict that arises as a result of way finding. It further discusses the planning principle and design detail towards the development of an effective circulation pattern that will tend to make way finding easier, aid recovery of patients impact positively on its staff (medical practitioners and supporting operatives) while protecting them and creating a sense of control)

1.5       SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of this, study will be limited to a comprehensive study on the planning of effective circulation in the said medical facility that will integrates all preventive, public health and curative services. The study culminates in design of a secondary healthcare, which will integrate the functions:

1. Administrative Unit

• Medical Records
• Staff Facilities
• Nursing Unit
• Library

2. Examination And Treatment

• Admission and emergency unit
• Medical service
• Pathology
• Radiological Diagnosis
• Maternity Unit
• Surgery Unit
• Radiotherapy Unit
• Physiotherapy

3. Care

• General Care Unit
• Nursing Mothers And Antenatal Therapy
• Intensive Care
• Pediatric Care
• Psychiatric Care

4. Social Services: Service Facilities

1.6        LIMITATION

The study on this subject matter is constrained by certain factors both manmade and natural. While conducting case studies some hospitals did not grant the request to study the existing circulation pattern of their structure. This served as constrain, bringing its number of the cases studies to five.

1.7      PRELIMINARY RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A case study qualitative research approach is adopted, to identify the core design principles of hospitals in Nigeria. Source of information includes:

1. Field observation of existing hospitals;
2. Review of secondary information from published materials like design standards
3. Informal interaction with stakeholders such as medical personnel collected information is analyzed by grouping them into a) master plan b) sections of the hospital c) subsections that make up sections, etc.