DESIGN OF TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL IN THAILAND

Abstract

Thailand has been ranked as one of the top 22 highest Tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. The main purpose of this study is to conduct an architectural design for TB hospital in a setting with high prevalence of TB infection. Review studies from general and referral hospitals both in central Bangkok and provincial areas showed that health care workers (HCWs) in Thailand were at higher than average risk for TB infection; nurses and emergency department HCWs had the highest risk. Findings from pilot study in three TB hospitals in Bangkok showed that current floor plans of the clinics prevent good airflow into the room which cross ventilation could occur between patients and HCWs. The size of the opened windows is too small and prevents good air ventilation and the function of spaces does not serve the sequence of the user behavior. An architectural design of a TB hospital in Pak Chong, Nakorn Ratchasima is conducted to foster infection control. The design comprises of the orientation to optimize wind exposure for building occupants, the development of appropriate opening size and location, the spread of function to create wind gap and courtyard, and the use of designed facade to provide ventilation and to create a sense of privacy and healing environment for the patients while controlling the airborne transmission.