Performance evaluation of a psychiatry facility, Sao Paulo, Brazil

• Published in: Facilities (Bradford, West Yorkshire, England) Vol. 27; no. 3/4
• Main Authors: Ornstein, Sheila Walbe, Ono, Rosaria, Lopes, Paulo Adeildo, Franca, Ana J G Limongi, Kawakita, Cristina Yukari, Machado, Marcos Donizete, Robles, Luis Vicente, Tamashiro, Simone Haruko, Fernandes, Paula Robes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2008
• ISSN: 0263-2772

This is a pre-print of a paper and is subject to change before publication. This pre-print is made available with the understanding that it will not be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the permission of Emerald Group Publishing LimitedPurpose - This article discusses the application of a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), with emphasis on the accessibility and fire safety at the Institute of Psychiatry (IPq), a member institution of the University of Sao Paulo General Hospital (HCUSP), after a building renovation. It also briefly describes a Pre-Design Evaluation applied previously by the design team which was in charge of this renovation. Design/methodology/approach - Several POE tools were applied in order to get opinion of users (medical team, patients' escorts, administration and engineering staff) and experts, and illustrative maps of discovery were proposed to show the recommendations for critical points as well as positive aspects detected during the study. Findings - The use of different POE tools to get opinions from different types of users showed to be very efficient. The efficacy of a POE after a PDE is very clearly reflected in the results of this study. Research limitations/implications - There were restrictions against asking the patients' opinion about the building performance due to their health conditions. Practical implications - The POE recommendations clearly presented in maps of discoveries can be a powerful tool for the management of healthcare facilities. Originality/value - The facilities for mental health care bring specific design requirements which, added to accessibility and fire safety issues, increase the challenge of evaluating the building performance after a remodeling process.