ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Supply flow refers to the movement of general supplies, such as linens, cleaning materials, and other consumables.
Amy Krause
Amy Krause has some 25 years’ experience as a Registered Professional Architectural Technologist in South Africa, with a specialised focus on healthcare architecture for the past 19. Her expertise spans project scope, masterplan design, technical documentation, office and project management, and administration. She has contributed
to both public and private sector projects across Africa, and is an Executive Committee member of the South African Federation of Healthcare Engineering (SAFHE), a role she says has enriched her understanding of healthcare design. Her work emphasises
layout optimisation, flow efficiency, and technical precision, keeping her at the forefront of healthcare architectural advancements. She is committed to maintaining high standards and a thorough knowledge of regulations and guidelines. Amy believes well-designed spaces can significantly improve patient care and staff efficiency, reflecting her passion for architecture and dedication to healthcare excellence. Her role at Mediclinic
Southern Africa primarily sees her taking healthcare facilities’ needs and making them a reality with cost, efficiency, and regulations in mind, and ‘always following the seven flows of healthcare’.
and distribution. Understanding how each unit operates ensures the correct placement and sizing of these areas, and access to deliveries. The location of central cleaners’ stores and laundries can significantly impact turnaround times for patient units – an often overlooked factor. Each unit has its own cleaners’ room and clean linen room, but if these are not large enough to hold stock for a full day’s rotation, it causes major delays, and negatively impacts the patient experience. We have sizing ratios based on the number of beds, but it’s essential to ask how often deliveries are made, in order to keep these units efficient.
7: Equipment flow Equipment flow involves the movement of medical equipment such as beds, monitors, and diagnostic tools. This aspect is critical to the functioning of any healthcare facility. Proper movement, flow, and storage of equipment, are essential for effective operations. If equipment is not stored correctly or in the right place, it becomes difficult for units to function efficiently. To assist staff, equipment is stored in clearly labelled parking bays in theatres, resuscitation rooms, and units. Room data sheets are vital in our design process.
These structured documents outline specific requirements for each room or space within a building project, ensuring that equipment can be placed with minimal
interference. We also consider services for equipment to ensure that all health and safety requirements are met, in accordance with building regulations.
Conclusion: designing for excellence in healthcare The intricate flows within a healthcare facility – whether of patients, families, care providers, medicines, information, supplies, or equipment, are all interconnected threads that define the quality and efficiency of care. Thoughtful architectural design is not just about creating functional spaces; it is about shaping environments that support healing, streamline operations, and enhance the experiences of everyone who enters the facility. By continually assessing and optimising these flows, we can overcome even the most complex challenges – from outdated infrastructure to evolving technological needs. As healthcare architects and designers, our responsibility is to listen, innovate, and collaborate – ensuring that every detail contributes to safer, more compassionate, and more effective care. Ultimately, excellence in healthcare design is achieved
not through isolated solutions, but through a holistic approach that places people at the heart of every decision. When we design with empathy and precision, we create spaces that truly make a difference in the lives of patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike.
Proper movement, flow, and storage of equipment, are essential for effective operations.
26 Health Estate Journal August 2025
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