Purpose: The increasing use of ultrasound (US) for both diagnostic and interventional procedures has not been supported yet by proper and adequate planning of dedicated rooms. Therefore we studied both the organization and the design of such areas.
Methods and discussion: As for organization, we considered: a) the kind of examination performed; b) the main department activity (in-/outpatients, diagnostic or interventional procedures); c) the schedule for each room by examination type and timing (patient preparation, actual examination and read-out times). As for room design, we studied the size and location of the diagnostic unit, dressing rooms, entrances and restrooms, as well as the furniture in general. We also studied the location of waiting rooms and corridors, the location and size of the read-out areas, and the room for post-interventional monitoring, as well as all the details about microclimate and lighting. Then we designed two different modules with the relevant planimetry: one featuring two adjacent diagnostic rooms and the other featuring a single diagnostic room. Some ergonomic solutions are also proposed concerning the location of the US system relative to the stretchers entrance and the location of the post-interventional monitoring room relative to the radiologic room(s). Finally, we evaluated the size of some peculiar pieces of equipment of a radiologic room by their function.
Conclusions: The functional arrangement of the diagnostic US unit and its space requirements, permits to optimize the use of the whole structure complying with the ergonomic criteria for operators and enabling the rapid throughout of patients with no waste of time.