Thermal comfort of healthcare facilities in China: A review

In recent years, the study of thermal comfort has gained significant attention for its profound impact on human well-being and productivity. Addressing thermal comfort in healthcare environments has become increasingly important as public demand for improved healthcare standards increases and patients prioritize their overall experience during medical visits. This study explores advances in thermal comfort research in healthcare facilities, tailored to the specific characteristics of Chinese healthcare facilities. It covers various aspects, including China's five major climatic regions, different categories of healthcare facilities, distinct functional zones within healthcare facilities, and different demographic groups. Additionally, this study summarized thermal sensation data across diverse demographic groups from reviewed literature, analyzing median indicators of different groups. When compared with current standards, it appears that while these standards generally support the broad needs of healthcare facility occupants, they fall short of accommodating the detailed design requirements specific to environments of healthcare facilities. The study identifies shortcomings in domestic research and suggests future research directions. It provides valuable insights for optimizing healthcare facilities' designs and environmental parameters in accordance with evolving global standards in healthcare facility management in China.