Realignment: An Excellent Value
At the recent NRHA CAH conference in Kansas City, evidence continued to be presented showing the positive impact a new facility has in increasing the overall performance of the hospital. All of the political, economical and social pressures of today are placing upon rural healthcare the need for the individual transformation of their organizations. This ranges from the physical facility and operational efficiencies to staff motivation and the image seen by the community.
A new facility is not necessarily the best answer. New technology and clinical care processes can be enhanced through a series of expansions and renovations in a realignment of your facility when a carefully thought out masterplan has been created. Through a phased approach these projects can continuously improve the overall quality and performance of your hospital.
This article looks at the principles of design that make a realignment of your site and facility a viable option to a new replacement facility on a greenfeild site. A successful realignment of a facility increases those areas that generate income, optimizes those systems that consume resources and preserves those areas of the existing facility that support the mission of the hospital. A successful masterplan establishes a pathway for expansion and the building blocks necessary for growth. The keys of a successful realignment seek to address the following three components:
- Respecting Existing Investments: Identifying existing investments of all of the operational services of the organization and how they perform through the physical nature of the facility. This involves the spaces available, the people that use them and the equipment/technology used.
- Consumption of Resources: Recognizing the condition of the exiting mechanical and electrical infrastructure and their distribution systems and upgrading them to reduce consumption and maintenance costs.
- Investments to Increase Patient Outcomes: Defining the services rendered to a community and how upgrading and expanding those services can increase patient outcomes and generate income for your organization.
Our hope is that this article can begin s serious discussion within your organization on how to address the needs of your existing facility by bringing the new out of the old, the innovative out of the traditional to meet the challenges of the future for your staff and community.
Please express your thoughts and ideas on this blog to help others in a similar situation, collectively our insights can help all of us to do better. If you have any questions I can help you with please feel free to contact me.
Realignment_An Excellent Value.pdf
This article was prepared by:
Steve Moore, AIA
Director of Healthcare
Gastinger Walker Harden Architects
smoore@designwithinsight.com