Estimating Diagnostic Imaging Space Based on the

Number of Procedure Rooms

Originally printed in the
SpaceMed Newsletter
Fall 2015
www.spacemed.com

Sometimes a preliminary space estimate is needed to evaluate location alternatives, conduct a feasibility study, or develop a preliminary cost estimate for construction or renovation. Once the number of procedure rooms is determined, an
estimate of the total footprint required for the diagnostic imaging suite can be made
using the range of departmental gross square feet (DGSF) or department gross
square meters (DGSM) per procedure room shown in the table below.
These space ranges include a portion of the patient intake area and
staff/administrative space that may be shared among modalities. The lower value
should be used for larger suites where economies of scale can be realized. The
higher value should be used for smaller suites. An overall range of 850 to 950
DGSF (79.0 to 88.3 DGSM) per procedure room can be used for a multi-modality
outpatient diagnostic imaging center.
Estimated DGSF (DGSM)
Per Procedure Room

Modality/Procedure

Radiography/Fluoroscopy

800 to 1,000 (74.3 to 92.9)

Mammography

750 to 850 (69.7 to 79.0)

Computed Tomography (CT)

1,200 to 1,500 (111.5 to 139.4)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1,400 to 1,700 (130.1 to 157.9)

Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine

600 to 700 (55.7 to 65.0)

1,200 to 1,600 (111.5 to 148.6)

Note: Department gross square feet/meters (DGSF/DGSM) represents the "footprint" of a department or functional
component and includes the net square feet/meters (NSF/NSM) of the individual rooms as well as the space occupied by
internal circulation corridors, walls/partitions, and minor utility shafts; DGSF excludes common areas such as shared public
corridors and lobbies, elevator banks, stairwells, major mechanical spaces, and the space occupied by the building's
exterior wall.

Source: SpaceMed Guide (Third Edition).

2015.8.3

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