Draft Details

1.1 General

This Standard provides a framework for the requirements and guidance for a consistent approach on how to plan and conduct functional suitability and technical performance assessments of existing HCFs/NHFs, to determine their ability the support current and future health care service delivery.

1.1.1 Categories of assessments

There are two categories of assessments: Functional Suitability Assessments (see Clauses 4.4.1 and 6) and Technical Performance Assessments (See Clauses 4.4.2 and 7).

1.1.2 Types of assessments

In each of the two categories of assessments, there are three types of assessments to create a tiered approach which may be tailored to the purpose of the assessment: Current State, Gap Analysis and Future State Options (See Clauses 3.1, 4.5, 6.2 and 6.3.3).

These types are typically progressive, although not necessarily mutually exclusive:  a Gap Analysis will require that a Current State is completed prior to or as a part of the Gap Analysis. Future State Options will require some elements of Current State and Gap Analysis information to be available. See Figure 1.

1.2 Application

This Standard applies to HCFs, including existing hospitals, LTCH, outpatient HCFs, and NHF or settings being considered for use in the delivery of health care services. 

It is intended to be used by HCFs providing services regardless of type, level of care, size, or location.

Where applicable by AHJs, the focus of the assessment should be aligned with the objectives of the funding agency or study sponsor to address HCF planning or design issues, to inform capital planning and investment, or to learn from elements of the completed assessments to inform future studies and/or projects.

Future studies can include planning, design, and construction (PDC) studies and post-occupancy evaluations (POE) and Sustainability or Climate Resilience Plans (See CSA Z8003 for more information on PDC and POE).

1.3  Inclusions, users and interdisciplinary teams (IDT)

This Standard is developed for a broad range of users, including, but not limited to, HCFs, funding agencies, governments, professional design and planning teams, architects, engineers, infection prevention and control professionals (IPC), health care teams, providers and clinical staff, vendors, researchers, and internal and external evaluators.

This Standard supports IDT involvement in the assessments, in order to determine the scope of the assessment and to guide an assessment of the functional suitability and the technical performance of the building systems.

As applicable, input from health care authorities may also be necessary to establish the assessment purpose and scope.

Note: The IDT members of the HCF become the subject matter experts (SME) for the assessments and include administrators, health care program and clinical planners, clinical staff, infection prevention and control professionals, facility operations and maintenance staff, patients and their families, and non-clinical support staff. Other key members of the IDT may include non-HCF individuals (e.g., professional design and planning teams, vendors, funding agencies).