Emergency healthcare architecture in Brazil
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Expectations about which direction will be the best path to be adopted in the different architectural scenarios for health have created a special challenge in Brazil during the pandemic of 2020/2021.
[edit] Brazilian experiences
In the Brazilian health system, it was possible to identify the different buildings for health assistance (EAS) dedicated specifically to the treatment of people affected by COVID-19:
- Hospitals that care exclusively for the patient with the disease, including existing units converted to service and units built temporarily for assistance.
- Hospitals for general disease care including COVID-19.
In most hospitals, a crisis committee was set up with professionals from management, assistance and technical areas such as architecture and engineering. The main concerns were related to changes in external and internal flows, the creation of beds dedicated to COVID, the mapping and or the acquisition of new equipment and the identification of the need to provide changes the air conditioning systems.
The first adaptations were; the creation of external environments for screening potentially infected patients, the separation of flows between different patients and the separation of access by the assistance team. Then came the zoning of inpatient areas, which defined exclusive areas for infected patients. Another fundamental item was the organisation of the areas of laboratory and imaging exams.
[edit] The floating hospital
The Floating Hospital was developed to attend emergency situations in the North Region. The equipment was installed on a floating raft and transported by river to its destination.
The arrangements in the space can vary from a large inpatient unit with 60 intensive care beds (with adaptable criticality allowing for the patient's stage of recovery in the bed itself), to a 30-bed hospital of medium complexity with an operating/obstetric centre, basic imaging, and laboratory. This includes technical and logistical support sectors necessary for its operation.
The air conditioning system was designed in full compliance with technical standards of air quality and international safety.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.