DescriptionThe Reception - Emergency provides the space, equipment and services for receiving patients and visitors and directing them to their destination or to the waiting area of the Emergency Unit. The Reception - Emergency also acts as an administrative base for the unit.Hours of Operation24 hoursOccupancy4 staff seated (with up to 2 additional staff intermittently)Additional Considerations~ Triage - Emergency, Assessment Counters (TRIAGE-CO) and/or Triage - Emergency, Assessment Rooms (TRIAGE-RM) are to be in close proximity to the Reception - Emergency.
~ Multiple Triage - Emergency, Assessment Counters may be combined with the Reception - Emergency. When these Standard Components are combined, the final overall room configuration should include an egress that takes staff behind the secure line of the Emergency Unit.
~ Clear line of sight to the waiting room is recommended for observation.
~ Provision of a window for visual access from Reception - Emergency to a Triage Room/Counter (when these rooms are collocated) may be considered to ensure staff are not isolated in the front of house area. This window may be fixed or an operable sliding type (e.g. to allow passing of items/documents).
~ Provision of a window for visual access to the ambulance entry area (if collocated) may be considered to support efficient registration of patients arriving by ambulance.
~ While oversight of the patient/visitor entry, ambulance entry and waiting room is desirable, it is not always possible and security cameras and feeds are typically required. Display screens for security CCTV feeds should be located so they are not viewable by the public. Size and quantity of screens is to be determined to suit security requirements.
~ An intercom and door release buttons linked to the external entry doors and main department entry point(s) may be required for access control depending on service requirements. Lockdown alarms and buttons will also be required to suit security protocols and operational models for unit lock down.
~ This Standard Component shows 2 x counters where patients/visitors are standing and 1 x wheelchair accessible counter. Counters may be provided as standing height or seated height, or a mix of both, with at least one counter to provide wheelchair access as per AS1428.1 / NZS 4121.
~ Configuration of the security glazing (size of communication slot, size of pass-through aperture for paperwork, etc.) is to be determined at project level to suit operational models.
~ The requirement for the inclusion of hearing augmentation systems (e.g. hearing aid induction loops, or solutions that require infrared, radio frequency, or Wi-Fi systems) and associated items (microphones, signage, etc.) is to be confirmed at project level, in consultation with accessibility experts, to suit the configuration of the counter and security glazing.
~ Acoustic treatment requirements are to be determined suit patient privacy requirements and reduce potential noise transfer to/from the adjacent waiting area.
~ Provision of height adjustable workstations in lieu of fixed joinery benches may be considered at project level and provision should be in line with local WHS policies. Where height adjustable workstations are provided the location of services and the interaction of the moving workstation surface with the static public facing counter must be carefully considered.
~ The final location of doors is to be determined to suit overall department layout and minimise risk of staff entrapment. At least one door must provide an egress that takes staff behind the secure line of the Emergency Department. The other door may provide direct access to the waiting room. Provision of access control devices (e.g. proximity card readers) is to be finalised to suit security requirements.
~ A wall clock should be visible from all clinical areas in the Emergency unit. The location and type of clocks provided, including any required connection to a master clock system, is to be determined at a project level.
~ Mobile duress coverage is to be assessed and planned at a department level and coverage is to meet local security and WHS policies as well as operational service requirements.
~ The type, extent and configuration of storage within the room for stationery and consumables will be dependent on service requirements, operational models and ICT policies and strategies. This includes considering the facility’s use of electronic medical records (EMR) as well as the need to store any remaining paper forms.
~ The requirement for Body Protection under AS/NZS 3003 is to be determined at project level depending on the proximity of the counter to adjacent patient areas.
~ Provision of cleaner’s power outlets is to be rationalised across the department and spaced in accordance with AS/NZS 3003.