Evaluation of Hospital Laboratories Design in Ethiopia

Background: Since advancement of science and technology in the area of laboratory medicine in 21st century the design of laboratory should be organized into high flexibility zones and need an open plan to support the dynamic nature lab testing by manual or semi-automated or fully automated. The most difficult issue in design of laboratory is allocation and organization of space. Although well design laboratory is in place, it will be compromised if the ergonomics workstation and workflow of laboratory are not designed well. In Ethiopia there is no baseline information on hospital laboratory design. Objectives: To evaluate the existed hospital laboratories design setup and proposed new laboratory design in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design, quantitative method and direct observation were conducted in five public and private laboratories in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia between 2015 and 2016. Results: Floor plan was available and posted in all laboratories. Three of labs were not initially designed for the Laboratories. The adjoining and adjacent matrix principles were not documented in assessed laboratories. The laboratory design didn`t have proper exist door and show the direction of evacuation plan during emergency situation and fire extinguisher were not strategically placed and free of obstruction. Laboratories did not have any mechanical ventilation system. Laboratory and non-laboratory activities were not separated. The exited lab design didn't accommodate future demands. Conclusion: Whenever laboratory construction or renovation is planned, first identifying the size and nature of laboratory test being performed, laboratory workflow, number and size of laboratory equipments needed, type and number of ergonomics casework and countertops, emergency evacuation plan, access control areas. Laboratory proximity programming and functional relationship between laboratories and reception should be determined early in design process and laboratory module unit space size determination and open plan laboratory together mobile care work and lean laboratory design should be consider in design process.