The SpaceMed Guide has undergone a significant update for 2022. The workbook and space planning templates have been reorganized, and some facility components have been realigned to reflect changing technology and medical practice. All the same functional areas found in acute care hospitals, ambulatory care, and specialty facilities are still found in one of the SpaceMed Guide's fifteen new sections. The format and layout of the workbook sections are the same with the addition of new guidance on planning healthcare facilities during times of uncertainty and achieving future flexibility and adaptability.
As with previous editions, each section includes a descriptive narrative and a detailed (room-by-room) space planning template. Additional quick space calculation templates are provided for selected functional components. All templates are formatted in Microsoft® Excel. Imperial and metric versions of the templates are available for planning specific projects.
Alignment with the 2022 FGI Guidelines. The fourth edition of the SpaceMed Guide aligns with the Facilities Guidelines Institute's newest Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities — referred to as the FGI Guidelines. The Joint Commission, many U.S. federal agencies, and authorities in 42 states use the FGI Guidelines as a code or a reference standard when reviewing, approving, and financing projects. The SpaceMed Guide complements the FGI Guidelines by helping healthcare architects, planners, and providers develop the functional program and space requirements before beginning the design process and applying the FGI Guidelines. The SpaceMed Guide uses the same terminology for departments and spaces and expedites the process of determining the types, numbers, and sizes of spaces for any healthcare project.
