Why Patient Flow Design Is Important in Pakistan

Pakistan’s healthcare system faces challenges such as:

• Overcrowded OPDs

• Long waiting queues

• Slow emergency response

• Inadequate space planning

• Lack of separation for infectious patients

• Poor wayfinding and navigation

• Mixed circulation for staff, patients, and supplies

These issues compromise patient safety and staff efficiency.

With Patient Flow Design ACCO, hospitals can overcome these problems by adopting international healthcare planning standards customized for local needs.

How ACCO Designs Efficient Patient Flow Systems

ACCO applies global hospital design standards, including:

• FGI Guidelines (USA)

• NHS Healthcare Standards (UK)

• ASHRAE Healthcare Guidelines

• Pakistan Healthcare Commission (PHC) Requirements

ACCO’s hospital planners, architects, MEP specialists, and workflow experts work together to design hospitals that ensure:

• Smooth patient circulation

• Logical adjacency of departments

• Short travel distances

• Infection control compliance

• Clear zoning between clean and dirty areas

• Safe vertical circulation

📌 Key Components of Patient Flow Design

1. OPD (Outpatient Department) Flow Planning

The OPD often manages the largest patient load.

ACCO structures efficient OPDs through:

• Multiple registration counters

• Digital queue management

• Separate pathways for walk-in and appointment patients

• Spacious, ventilated waiting areas

• Clustered consultation rooms

• Family waiting zones

• Nurse stations at central points

• Accessible washrooms and prayer areas

This ensures a calm, organized, and stress-free OPD experience.

2. Emergency Department (ER) Flow Planning

In emergencies, time is critical.

ACCO designs ER units that support rapid diagnosis and treatment:

• Dedicated ambulance entrance

• Triage desk immediately at entry

• High acuity and low acuity patient separation

• Trauma bays adjacent to imaging rooms

• Resuscitation rooms with direct access to OT

• Short, unobstructed hallways

• Separate circulation for stretcher movement

An optimized emergency flow saves lives and reduces response time.

3. Diagnostics & Imaging Flow

Diagnostics often create bottlenecks because patients must repeatedly move between departments.

ACCO ensures:

• Centralized diagnostic hub

• Logical adjacency to OPD and ER

• Sample collection rooms near OPD

• Radiology units (X-Ray, CT, MRI) grouped together

• Clearance zones for radiation safety

• Staff-only access corridors

• Dedicated patient holding areas

This setup greatly reduces unnecessary movement and waiting.