Letter to R Ray, Subject: Bikini Dispensary Plan Suggestions

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Mr. Roger Ray, Assistant Manager for Environment & Safety U. S. Energy Research & Development Administration Nevada Operations Office Las Vegas, Nevada 89114 BIKINI DISPENSARY PLAN SUGGESTIONS These suggestions are more or less general and I would direct them thoughts I had about the building plan would be the separation of the aide’s quarters from the main building by a breezeway to minimize traffic in the dispensary area. The hallway should be’ double wide “ to permit wheelchairs and also serve as a secondary waiting room. I thought Dutch doors would be reasonable to control traffic without stopping the breeze. Ramps in the ‘building would be preferred to steps. I also feel that the wards could be at the far end of the building, away from the traffic. The visitors might then have an area where they could visit with the patients from outside without coming through the building. There might be no office area as such. There should be at least one shower connected to the ward area as well as a bath- c room. One examining room should have a bathroom and possibly another bathroom that opens into a hall and the outside toilet facilities for the public. A large storage area would be important, one for records x-rays, supplies near the door and entry. Ultimately, a portable x-ray unit would be in the building (very likely in the next few years). One laboratory facility could be part of that same room. Two refrigerators could be used in the dispensary. One in the work area, a small one, and then a larger one in the storage area where x-ray film, drugs, injectable could be stored. I thought the sinks could be stainless steel. They should have a high swing spout and there should be one in each examining room and one in each toilet area.

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I recognize that these general construction suggestions couldk offensive to somebody who has already plamed the building and all, but I repeat them in complete innocence. I feel that the building itself should be wood where possible and pretreated for termites. There shotid be built-in prefabricated cabinet storage space. There should be locks on all the doors. I have made a pencil sketch to cover the overall view of the dispensary and suggestions for a layout. I have drawn an examining room which is rather typical. The couch may be superfluous. The wall storage and work table are outlined with storage underneath. The gynecological examination table and needs suggested. Also, a buzzer call system would be convenient. I suspect that the economy of rebuilding Bikini is in a tight bind and’ getting worse with inflation, but I recognize that maybe a little leeway should be given in the dispensary area because it does first, represent a community need and second, it can be anticipated to be used more and more. To obviate having to enlarge it later, it would seem good to make it larger at first. As far as the flooring is concerned, I suppose it will be cement. It would be nice if it could have a finished cement floor that is easily kept clean. A cement flooring covered with ‘a grout and then ‘polished down would be ideal for the area but I imagine it is too expensive. If one good suggestion comes out of this whole thing, I hope that it will be worthwhile to whoever is doing the work, particularly, for the people of Bikini. . Kula, Maui, Hawaii