Post-occupancy evaluation of negative-pressure isolation rooms: Using the balanced scorecard framework

Very few studies have been published on post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) in the field of healthcare. Furthermore, there is no published literature related to POE of negative-pressure isolation rooms. This is the first POE study of negative-pressure isolation rooms using a balanced scorecard approach. From the viewpoint of evidence-based design, Taiwanese experience with the 2003 SARS outbreak can provide very valuable lessons and may help in constructing negative-pressure isolation rooms in a cost-effective way. The sampled hospital was a major hospital treating SARS patients in Taipei in 2003. Two sessions of focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in fall 2005. The results of this study can be used to modify existing guidelines for negative-pressure isolation rooms. This study also proves that POEs using the balanced scorecard approach provide a balanced viewpoint for facility evaluation.