What's in a Building? A Descriptive Survey of Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Buildings in Victoria, Australia.
Ruby Lipson-Smith, Heidi Zeeman, Julie Bernhardt
PMID 33543069WHAT IT FOUND
Most Victorian inpatient rehabilitation buildings are not purpose-built, with half originally designed for acute care or other uses.
Newer and private facilities have more single-bed rooms, while gym locations vary widely from the ward, potentially affecting patient movement.
Key findings
01Half of the surveyed rehabilitation buildings were not purpose-built for rehabilitation services.
02The median percentage of rehabilitation beds in single-bed rooms was 55%, but this was significantly higher in purpose-built and newer facilities.
03In 56% of buildings, the therapy gym was located on a separate floor, section, or building from the rehabilitation ward.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The survey was limited to Victoria, Australia, so results may not apply to rural areas elsewhere or to other countries. Data relied on telephone responses from staff with varying knowledge of building history, leading to some missing information. The study described buildings but did not measure patient outcomes, so it cannot say whether any specific design feature is better for recovery. Definitions of 'purpose-built' relied on original design intent, which may not reflect how the space is currently used or adapted.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the University of Melbourne.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that newer or purpose-built facilities are clinically superior for all patients. The study shows that single-bed rooms, while common in new builds, are an acute-care design feature that may not align with rehabilitation goals like social connection and fall prevention, which often benefit from multi-bed environments.