The public areas of a hospital serve as an important reference point, providing access to amenities for patients, visitors, and staff. This includes the main entrance and lobby, waiting areas, shops, and staff facilities. Properly designed public spaces with comfortable seating, clear signage, basic amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere can help reduce patient stress and generate goodwill for the hospital. However, limitations like parking availability and costs must be considered alongside the goals of maximizing patient comfort and experience.

2. PUBLIC AREAS
• A public space is a social space that is generally
open and accessible to people.
PUBLIC AREAS IN HOSPITALS
• The public areas of the hospital serves as an
important reference point in the context of
space and traffic in the facility.

3. PUBLIC AREA INCLUDES
Entrance and Lobby Areas
Main waiting areas
Gift shop, bookshop and florist shop
Coffee shop-cum-snack bar
Meditation room
Staff facilities

4. ENTRANCE AND LOBBY AREAS
• The main lobby is used to accommodate patients, their
family and friends.
• In patients and outpatients enter through the main lobby
and also a serves a convenient access route to the staff
members.
• The interior of the lobby is the overall impression of the
hospital.
• A friendly and cheerful lobby coupled with caring staff will
go long way to help patients to overcome fear.

5. COMPOSITE PARTS AND ADJACENT
AREAS OF THE LOBBY
• Adequate parking area for patients and staff
Reserved parking space for medical staff so that they don’t fight
for space every time they come to hospital
• Main public entrance
Should be at ground level , sheltered from weather, and
designed to handle wheelchairs and stretchers.

6. • Reception and information desk
It should be conveniently located for the people as they
enter the lobby.
Should have counters in accordance to patient traffic
Staff should be polite and empathetic
• Public waiting area
Should be spacious and clean.
Should have comfortable chairs and done esthetically
Waiting capacity should be according to patient traffic

7. • Public toilet facilities
Should be separate for men and women.
They should be so located that patient and
visitors do not need to go beyond the lobby
area. Should be clean and hygienic.
• Water coolers or drinking water
Clean and weather according water should be
made available to patients and attendants

8. • Circulation
There is continuous traffic through the lobby so circulation
should be planned efficiently.
For Smooth flow of wheelchairs, patients and stretchers.

9. • Easy to follow signage system
• It can be quite frustrating
for patients, particularly in
large hospitals to find their
way through the complex
maze of the hospital
structure. So directional
graphics and signage is
very important .

10. MAIN WAITING AREA
• The main waiting area should provide seating for the
largest estimated number of the people who may occupy it
at any given time. The patients are usually accompanied by
one or two relatives so should be taken in account while
planning.
• Looks better organized.
• Special sub areas in front of specialty clinics.

11. GIFT SHOP, BOOKSHOP AND FLORISTS
SHOP
Gift shops are often run by volunteers are becoming
increasingly popular and are GOOD SOURCE OF INCOME for
the hospitals.
COFFEE SHOP-CUM-SNACK BAR
It is an essential facility for outpatients and emergency
patients, especially in the night, and should be close to
waiting area.
This facility can be outsourced according to the need of the
hospital.

12. MEDITATION ROOM OR PRAYER
ROOM
Prayer room for anxious relatives where staff patients and
relatives can spend time or relax.

13. STAFF FACILITIES
• Facilities that must be made available to the
staff are:
 locker rooms
 Toilets
 lounges
 library
 fitness facility

14. IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC AREAS
PATIENT
COMFORT
ESTHETICS GOODWILL
PUBLIC
AREAS
BASIC
REVENUE
AMENITIES
MENTAL
IMPACT

15. STRENGTHS: WEAKNESS:
Ample main and sub waiting areas Lesser parking space
All basic amenities available Cost factor
Prayer room Efficiency of air conditioning in OPD
CCD Confusing signage
Staff facilities Signage only in English
SWOT
THREATS:
OPPORTUNITIES:
Upcoming hospitals with better public
Good will
area
Source of income
facilities
Adds to patient comfort

16. WAITING
AREA
STAFF
RECEPTION
FACILITIES
PARKING REST ROOMS
PRACTICLE
WORKING
QUIET ROOM SIGNAGE
GIFT /COFFE
CIRCULATION
SHOP