(4/20/2020)
Hospitals are working around the clock to provide quality care to patients and stable support for staff. It is important that healthcare construction takes that into account. With the volume of people walking through the halls of healthcare facilities daily, it’s crucial the space is always safe and functional.
There’s a lot of moving parts that go into the operation of any healthcare facility. Not only is it crucial that staff such as doctors, nurses and receptionists work together, it’s also important that the systems keeping the place up and running are functional. If computers, HVAC systems, MRI and X-ray machines, and much more aren’t working properly, the whole hospital could be affected.
At the foundation of all facilities is construction management. From the planning and design of a new project to the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting, it’s essential that facilities are being improved and expanded for the needs of patients, visitors and staff. As with any career in the healthcare industry, there are many misconceptions about healthcare construction management. Below, we debunk healthcare construction management’s top three myths.
Healthcare construction management isn’t complicated.
Healthcare facilities are some of the most complex and heavily regulated types of buildings. Not only do healthcare construction projects follow local and/or state general building codes, the facilities must also follow all federal regulations, too. In addition, standards set by
The Joint Commission and
OSHA, along with the
Facility Guidelines Institute keep public health, safety and welfare top of mind. These standards are often challenging to follow as they are ever-evolving.
Many facilities also require a variety of types of spaces. Whether it be an emergency department, laboratory, or housekeeping area, each space needs specialized experts involved to build it. Construction workers with specialized expertise in electrical, mechanical and telecommunications systems are needed to complete the functions needed for a hospital. While it may look easy during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, it takes a lot of hard work and planning to construct a healthcare facility.
Construction management isn’t a solid career path.
While anyone can find themselves in the field of construction management, many would be interested to know that most individuals in this industry are highly educated and licensed in their area of expertise. There are a multitude of educated architects, general contractors, HVAC specialists and professional engineers leading the industry. By keeping employees up to date with compliance standards with routine training and workshops, construction managers are constantly finding ways to improve their craft.
Healthcare construction management isn’t just a career that some stumble upon. In fact, many construction managers will tell you that they decided to turn their skills into a profession because they were greatly affected by a healthcare provider in their life.
Healthcare construction management isn’t any different from any other type of management.
When a construction manager works on a healthcare facility, there’s a lot more to keep in mind than any other construction project. Facilities management must also be integrated in the project to align the planning, design
and construction processes with ongoing facilities maintenance. By combining the two, it increases service outcomes and streamlines the communication for better collaboration.
Unlike a typical construction manager, a healthcare construction manager must also represent the facility, acting as a liaison between the hospital’s owners and the construction manager’s team. With a great team, managers are able to advocate for the facility throughout the process.
When building the foundation for your healthcare facility, it’s necessary to know the facts to prevent these misconceptions. Building healthcare facilities isn’t your typical construction project, as hospitals are essential buildings needed for the care and treatment of people everywhere. With this in mind, it’s important to create the best healing spaces possible for patients, staff and visitors.
Want to learn more about Medxcel’s integrated approach? Contact us at
info@medxcel.com or 855-633-9235.