Abstract
The aim of this study is to quantitatively deduce the circulation efficiency and space arrangements of the outpatient department in geriatric hospitals in terms of spatial structure and to find a methodology that could promote the improvement of accessibility and spatial cognition while using the facilities. All space units of the selected twelve geriatric hospitals were located on the first floor. The study adopted the psychological distance concept of space syntax to the unitized spaces, and presented a set of indices, such as TD, PN, RF, PNT and TRF. These indices were calculated according to the standard clinical use procedures. The study evaluated the effectiveness of circulation. The analysis of circulation was based on the four major geriatric illnesses that were selected in this study. The study established the standard clinical use procedure with consideration of the medical treatment, examinations and space units of outpatient departments. The results are as follows: 1) Based on the statistical data, four major geriatric illnesses are examined, and space requirement and standard procedures are established. Development indicators are applied in order to quantitatively deduce the efficiency of spatial cognition. 2) The percentage of the risk of cognitive decline(TRF) has an inversely proportional correlation to the circulation efficiency(PNT) at a certain point. TRF is more influenced by the clinical use procedure than the scale. 3) The arrangement of the waiting space and types of corridor greatly affect the percentage of the risk of cognitive decline. 4) Vulnerable facilities are selected on the basis of the evaluation, and two alternatives that could promote the circulation efficiency are presented. The result of the reanalysis showed that cognitive efficiency had much improved compared to the existing facilities.