Children’s wards – flexibility of current Czech pediatric units
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the existing bed capacity in pediatric wards in Czech hospitals and assess their adaptability and flexibility. It investigates spatial and functional flexibility of pediatric inpatient wards in Czech general hospitals, evaluating their adaptability to meet modern family-centered care requirements. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was utilized, including literature reviews, case studies and semi-structured interviews with healthcare staff. The research aimed to determine whether existing spaces meet contemporary needs and to identify key factors influencing their flexibility. Findings highlight significant limitations in the flexibility of current pediatric units, primarily due to restricted dimensions and high bed occupancy rates. These factors hinder to accommodate diverse patient needs, and the needs of the patients’ families. Additionally, the study underscores the increasing demand for adaptable spaces to support both short-term and long-term hospitalizations, which current designs often fail to address. Recommendations include revising design standards to incorporate more flexible layouts and to revise the requirements when designing new builds or remodels further in the future. The research opens a discussion about the current state of legislative and functional requirements imposed on pediatric wards during both the design and operational phases. It is essential to critically assess whether it is appropriate to base renovations or new constructions of pediatric wards on the experiences of standard adult wards. This research is part of a broader effort to develop a tool for evaluating both existing and newly designed pediatric wards and to clarify the specific requirements that these wards must meet.
