Patient safety is relevant to a number of construction-related factors. For example, in connection to the furnishing and size of wards and medicine rooms, floor surfaces, and access to hand basins and alcohol sanitizers. The hospitals utilities such as water, heating, air (ventilation) and waste management are also relevant. The design of kitchens and sculleries is also relevant to staff procedures and handling of food, etc.

Principles for professional quality and patient safety

When drawing up the floor plan, the placement of functions, departments, etc. in the hospital should support the creation of professional environments, knowledge sharing and learning
When planning room distribution and sizes, consideration should be given to patient safety and quality health care, as well as the patients' private sphere and social needs
Room furnishings should, as far as possible, be based on existing professional standards and guidelines
Patient safety principals should guide the design of new facilities and equipment purchases, for example by incorporating knowledge of risk management, the human factor, and prevention of unintended incidents
Rooms should be furnished with a focus on improving hygiene and avoiding infections
Room furnishings should take into account the need for information technology to support staff in their clinical work and ensure that documentation and registration can be done as simply as possible. Furnishing should take into account existing knowledge and experience with the way light, art, colours and green areas influence the health and well-being of patients.