This section of the Hospital Environmental Audit Tool (HEAT) contains modules that look at how the environment in the ward spaces of a hospital meet older people’s needs and enable them to participate in their care.
There are five modules in this section:
- Rooms and bed bays
- Bathroom
- Communal spaces
- Lighting, signage and wayfinding
- Furniture, equipment and handrails
Most suggestions arising from these audits would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement. Several modules have a version that contains ideas that can be implemented with little or no budget and a short timeframe. These can be found in the section: On the ward - limited resources.
The modules in this section are each expected to take between 20 minutes and 30 minutes to complete. The audit modules may be completed individually or as part of a broader audit of the ward or other parts of the facility. The modules are not designed to be used for major refurbishments or new builds.
Rooms and bed bays
This audit module is designed to look at patient rooms or bed bays.
The audit module is designed to be used when you have some resources available. Most suggestions would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement. Please note – there is a separate rooms/bed bays audit module designed to be used when you have a small budget and short timeframe. Neither are intended for major refurbishments or new builds.
You may use this audit module on its own or as part of an audit of other parts of the ward.
This audit module contains 24 questions and will take approximately 25 – 30 minutes to complete. It contains questions about orientation, safety and comfort.
Bathroom
This audit module is designed to look at bathrooms in a ward. It can be used for bathrooms with both a toilet and shower, or one of the other.
The audit module is designed to be used when you have some budget and timeframe. Most suggestions would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement. Please note – there is a separate bathroom audit module designed to be used when you have a small budget and short timeframe. Neither are intended for major refurbishments or new builds.
You may use this audit module on its own or as part of an audit of other parts of the ward.
This audit module contains 26 questions and will take approximately 25-30 minutes to complete all sections. It contains 14 general questions, plus an additional 6 questions for a toilet and additional 6 questions for a shower.
Communal spaces
This audit module is designed to look at the communal spaces of a ward - the ward entrance, hallway areas, any shared spaces and wayfinding around the ward.
Some suggestions would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement, while some may be able to be changed quickly and with minimal budget. It is not intended for major refurbishments or new builds.
You may use this audit module on its own or as part of a broader audit of other parts of the ward.
This audit module contains 16 questions and will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
Lighting, signage and wayfinding
This audit module is designed to look at lighting, signage and wayfinding in a ward.
Wayfinding refers to all the ways in which people orientate themselves in a space and navigate their way from place to place. Older people need more wayfinding aids to assist orientation in a space and they need to be more obvious.
The audit module is designed to be used when you have some resources available. Most suggestions would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement. Please note – there is a separate lighting, signage and wayfinding audit module designed to be used when you have a small budget and short timeframe. Neither are intended for major refurbishments or new builds.
There are separate audit modules available for wayfinding throughout the whole hospital facility. You may also find some questions regarding signage and wayfinding in the ward module on communal spaces.
You may use this audit module on its own or as part of a broader audit of other parts of the ward or hospital.
This audit module contains 19 questions. It will take approximately 20 - 30 minutes to complete.
Furniture, equipment and handrails
This audit is designed to look at furniture, equipment and handrails in a ward area.
The audit is designed to be used when you have some resources available. Most suggestions would take some budget and/or timeframe to implement. It is not intended for major refurbishments or new builds.
You may use this audit module on its own or as part of an audit of other parts of the ward.
This audit contains 16 questions and will take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.
Start the furniture, equipment and handrails
Reviewed 17 July 2024