I’m sure if we had a hospital space designer here on the group they could explain the reasoning behind some of the choices people are unhappy with. :).
Safety first of course.
In some of the clinics I have worked in, the “blame” for odd furniture placement especially in waiting areas can go to the housekeeping staff. Different staff, different ways you find the space in the morning. Unless a clinic backhouse person (backhouse being anything past the waiting room) comes out and looks over the waiting space daily, the placement of movables in the room might not be ideal.