Every X-Ray lab requires the right planning as radiation protection is vital in an X-ray/ Radiology room. Before construction work starts, taking an overview of complete architectural dimensions, construction layout, design, electrical fittings as well as X-Ray machine requirements is important.
The post aims to provide insight into x-ray /radiology room- design, cost of construction, design requirements, and other concerning parameters.
As a hospital owner, you need to look for a construction company that has constructed similar labs. To make your work easier, a checklist is provided that will help in building an operational lab.
How is X-Ray/Radiology Room design different?
The x-ray/radiology rooms and other labs should be constructed separately away from the public area. But due to the building layout and area limitation, we can consider building them in the corner area.
The design layout is related to acoustic changes that’s why emphasis is given to building a room with specified dimensions and layout.
During the construction, the wall thickness of the x-ray lab, room darkness, and separation from patient areas are some of the factors to consider.
The acoustic must be such that it doesn’t eliminate the effect of radiation. A good wall shielding can help you achieve this.
What are the requirements for X-Ray/ Radiology Room Design?
When designing a general/fluoroscopy Room X-ray lab, several factors must be taken into consideration. Some of the factors include;
The general radiology room size should be approximately 16 m2. The design layout should be spacious for setting up an easy workflow.
- The wall thickness should be at the level of the shielding standards defined.
- The doors must be sliding and wide for the easy movement of the patients.
- The windows are avoided to reduce the penetration of radiation in the surrounding area.
- The x-ray machines must be installed in the corner so that there is enough moving space.
- The flooring should be able to bear a load of heavy machines especially if the lab is built on top floors.
Note: The recommended construction should be done on the ground floor.
- A dark room is required to place equipment.
- Above all, the shielding of walls, floor, and ceiling areas helps in building a concrete structure. Also, a radiology room should have adequate safety provisions to minimize the probability of accidental exposure.
- Another design requirement of the radiology room is patient intake. If you are planning to allow more than one patient at a time then partitioning becomes a must.
What do you mean by the workload of an X-ray installation?
As a medical contractor, you must be aware that the preparation starts with calculating the workload factor of machines. To make them operate for a long time, you must have proper ventilation in the room.
In simple terms, the workload is defined as X-ray unit output/week at well-defined points.
The workload in Radiography (mA-min/week)
W = No. of patients/day * No. of days/week * No. of films/patient * mAs/film * 1min/60sec
Checklist for X-Ray/radiology Room design
Once you have started the construction, you can refer to the checklist to ensure that all the tasks are done within the set time and budget.
Setting a limitation on the lab construction is important as the delay can increase the hassles. here’s the checklist for an efficient x-ray/radiology room design:
- Check the number and kind (ie. Blair, NUCCA, Full spine) of machines to be installed in the room.
- Check the place where the darkroom will be built. It should preferably not have any window and if it is there, it should be insulated.
- Make sure that the room has a proper lead-lined The thickness of the lead lines varies as per the machine types. It helps in balancing the magnetic field.
- Are you going for the new construction or remodeling it? If the X-Ray equipment is for an existing lab, what size is the current room?
- In case it is new construction, make sure to choose a standard layout and keep the shielding and other things in mind.
- It is important to note down the patient’s capacity as a separate waiting area is required for them. If the patient’s intake is more, you have to make a special arrangement for x-ray machine ventilation.
- Decide the place at the construction time to keep your power backup system. The central system won’t work as the x-ray machine operates at high voltages.
- Check the room layout during the design phase, a sliding door, insulated floor, and ceiling, shielded walls are a must.
- There should be enough cabinets to store the electronic devices and other things as you can’t carry them near the x-ray machine.
- The x-ray laboratory should not be a throughway to another room and the surrounding area should have 100% radiation protection.
- The operator‘s console area should be located such that the operator has a clear panoramic view of the patient and radiation is scattered twice before entering the protective area.
- Finally, construction should be done to develop a functional area.
What is the cost of constructing a new x-ray/radiology setup?
The expected outcome by a hospital or health care provider is the immediate positive result that can boost the ROI. The construction criteria and investment depend on the type of setup.
The bigger and more advanced level construction would be costly but to build an affordable yet equipped lab, you need to consult a construction agency in Los Angeles that is already doing x-ray/radiology laboratory construction.
Take time to determine your goals, requirements, and budget to ensure that you choose the right contractor for your needs.
You can also plan to construct all the required labs in a hospital in one go. The urgent care units, Dental Clinic Design & Renovation Specialists in LA, and so on.
How do you take care of your radiology lab?
Normally in the hospital, lab areas are restricted for common visitors. However, special care is taken to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in this area. The external cleaning can be done easily.
When it comes to lab maintenance, the servicing of equipment and the radiation resistivity should be checked regularly. Over the years the shielding effect reduces. it needs to be checked.
We must remember that lab construction is not an easy process, save on cost and maintain a smooth and productive environment, once the construction is done.
How to Hire the Best Construction Company?
A general contractor who has prior experience doing specific construction for labs. So, choosing the Best X-Ray Room Construction Company in LA having experience in medical construction is advisable.
A good contractor always takes the following preventive measures before construction:
- Regular communication and discussion with the X-Ray Provider while finalizing the design.
- As you move from task to task in the preparation stage, be sure to maintain periodic communication with hospital staff and take their approval. This helps in meeting most of the requirements.
- The construction contractor must be able to improvise design keeping the practical changes in mind.
Above all, the contractor must dedicatedly look into every minute detail by regularly checking the construction progress. An inspection by medical staff is a must to materialize a functional design.
Forward Path
Look for a construction company such as Lux Construction Group, Los Angeles that can provide this niche service. The intimate knowledge of all the X-Ray products on the market allows you to plan the most practical design. An experienced medical construction company will help you save money on construction costs and consulting.
If you are in Los Angeles then request our team to get a free quote for x-ray lab construction. We also provide a free site visit and consultancy before you hire us!
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