In the context of rapidly increasing healthcare demands, general hospitals are required not only to meet medical treatment needs but also to ensure safety, effective infection control, and long-term operational efficiency. For this reason, hospital design and construction is a highly specialized field that requires its own distinct and stringent standards—far more demanding than those applied to typical civil buildings. Join TECO in taking a deeper look at the standards for general hospital design and construction in the article below.
Why Do General Hospitals Require Specialized Design and Construction Standards?
Hospitals are environments with a high concentration of patients, medical staff, and advanced technical equipment. Any mistake in design or construction can directly affect health outcomes and, in some cases, human lives.
Unlike commercial buildings, hospital design and construction must simultaneously address multiple complex challenges, including clean–dirty zoning, prevention of cross-infection, 24/7 emergency operations, and flexible expansion to accommodate future development stages. In addition, general hospitals integrate numerous functional departments, each with its own technical requirements, making it impossible to apply a uniform or standardized approach.
Therefore, hospital design and construction standards are established to ensure three core principles: medical safety, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Why do general hospitals require specialized design and construction standard?
Vietnamese Standards for Hospital Design and Construction
In Vietnam, hospital design and construction must strictly comply with standards and regulations issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Construction. A typical example is TCVN 4470:2012, which governs the design and construction of general hospitals. Other important documents include the National Technical Regulations for Medical Buildings and various TCVN standards related to ventilation, lighting, water supply and drainage, and fire prevention and firefighting.
These standards clearly define minimum area requirements for each functional room, safe distances between zones, and structural requirements such as load-bearing capacity, vibration resistance, waterproofing, and sound insulation. Sensitive areas such as operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and isolation wards are subject to significantly stricter control requirements.
Compliance with Vietnamese standards is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental condition for hospital licensing and safe operation.
International Standards in Hospital Design and Construction
In addition to domestic regulations, many hospital design and construction projects today also reference international standards such as FGI (USA), HTM (UK), or guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). These standards place strong emphasis on patient experience, infection control, and optimization of medical workflows.
International standards often require clearer functional zoning, strict one-way circulation control, and greater integration of technology in building management systems. For private and international hospitals, adopting international standards helps enhance credibility, service quality, and competitive advantage.
International standards in hospital design and construction
General Hospital Master Planning Standards
Overall planning is the foundation of hospital design and construction. The master plan of a general hospital must be organized scientifically to ensure smooth internal circulation and minimize unnecessary intersections.
Functional zones are typically clearly separated into outpatient services, inpatient treatment areas, technical and clinical departments, and administrative areas. Circulation paths for patients, medical staff, visitors, and medical waste transportation must be designed independently to minimize infection risks.
In addition, planning must account for future expansion. A well-designed hospital from the outset allows for upgrades and extensions without disrupting ongoing medical services.
Technical System Standards in Hospital Construction
Technical systems play a vital role in hospital design and construction. Systems such as electrical supply, water supply, medical gas, ventilation, and air conditioning must operate reliably and continuously, 24/7.
In particular, hospital HVAC systems are not only responsible for cooling but also for controlling air pressure and cleanliness levels in critical areas such as operating rooms and recovery units. Electrical systems must include backup power sources and clearly defined priority levels for essential areas.
The construction of technical systems requires a high degree of precision and close coordination among disciplines from the design stage onward to avoid conflicts and operational errors.
Material Standards in General Hospital Construction
Materials used in hospital design and construction must meet high requirements for durability, hygiene, and user safety. Frequently touched surfaces such as floors, walls, and ceilings must be easy to clean, resistant to dirt accumulation, and capable of limiting bacterial growth.
Finishing materials must also be slip-resistant, fire-resistant, and free from toxic emissions. In surgical and specialized treatment areas, materials must comply with strict sterile environment standards.
Selecting appropriate materials from the beginning helps reduce maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of the facility.
Construction and Quality Control Standards
Construction quality directly determines hospital safety and operational performance. In hospital design and construction, quality control procedures must be applied consistently from foundation work through to final finishes.
Overall Layout Organization
The overall layout must be clear and easy to navigate, minimizing overlapping circulation paths. This supports smooth hospital operations and reduces pressure on medical staff.
Spatial Functionality
Each hospital space has a specific function and must be designed according to correct functional requirements and standard area sizes. Proper spatial arrangement improves work efficiency and patient experience.
Emergency Department
The emergency department should be located in the most accessible position, with rapid connections to diagnostic imaging departments and operating rooms. Design must ensure fast, safe, and uninterrupted medical intervention.
Outpatient Clinics
Outpatient areas should be well-ventilated, adequately lit, and separated from waiting areas to reduce patient stress. Circulation routes must be clear to prevent congestion during peak hours.
Inpatient Wards
Inpatient rooms must ensure quietness, privacy, and convenience for patient care. Thoughtful design supports patient recovery and comfort.
Operating Rooms
Operating rooms represent the highest standard area in hospital design and construction. Strict control of sterility, air pressure, and technical systems is required and must be thoroughly inspected and validated.
Paraclinical Areas
Laboratories and diagnostic imaging departments should be located close to treatment areas to shorten movement time and improve clinical efficiency.
Reception, Waiting Areas, and Registration
Reception areas are the first point of contact within a hospital. Design should be welcoming, intuitive, and help reduce patient anxiety from the moment they arrive.
Conclusion
Hospital design and construction is not simply about building a facility—it is about creating a safe, efficient, and humane healthcare ecosystem. Strict compliance with standards from the very beginning is the key to sustainable operation and long-term development. Through this article, TECO hopes to have clarified key considerations related to the design and construction of general hospitals.
