Facility audits

This section of the Hospital Environment Audit Tool (HEAT) contains modules that consider how the general areas of the hospital environment support the needs of older people and increase their participation in their care.

There are five modules in this section:

External areas and parking
Entrance, foyer and reception
Stairs, lifts and paths - internal areas
Outpatient and waiting areas
Wayfinding, signage and use of colour

Some suggestions for improvement 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.

The modules in this section are designed to take from 15 minutes to 35 minutes to complete. You may use these audit modules individually or as part of a broader audit of other parts of the facility. The modules are not designed to be used for major refurbishments or new builds.

Facility audit: External areas and parking

This module looks at how hospital parking areas, external pathways and garden areas can assist older people to safely access, navigate and enjoy the facility.

Facility audit: Entrance, foyer and reception

Determine how the features of the entrance, foyer and reception areas of the hospital are experienced by older people and enhance their comfort and safety.

Facility audit: Stairs, lifts and paths - internal areas

This audit module looks at stairs, lifts and paths inside a hospital to enable ease of access and maximise safety for older people.

Facility audit: Outpatient and waiting areas

The accessibility, usability and comfort of hospital outpatient and waiting areas are assessed by this module.

Facility audit: Wayfinding, signage and use of colour

This audit module is designed to look at ways to optimise lighting, signage and wayfinding throughout the hospital, for patient safety, orientation, ability to navigate and comfort.

Reviewed 28 March 2018

Health.vic

Contact details

Older People in Hospital Department of Health

opih@dhhs.vic.gov.au