This month marks the launch of BD+C’s inaugural Healthcare Annual Report. The second in an ongoing series of “state of the state” building sector reports—the 2023 Multifamily Annual Report published last October—the 2024 Healthcare Annual Report features more than 60 pages of trends, innovations, opportunities, and challenges for the U.S. healthcare construction sector.
Here is a sneak peek of the takeaways and observations shared in the report:
- Even with the rise of outpatient and specialty facilities, mega-hospital projects are not going away. Experts say several factors are at play, including the preference for private patient rooms, industry consolidation, increased care services, population shifts, and inflation. “A billion dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to,” said one expert.
- Patient communication goes high-tech. Interactive patient care systems bring the promise of improved patient communication, increased efficiencies in operations, and greater data collection. One GC said many of its healthcare clients are “aggressively pursuing implementing these new technologies.” However, first cost concerns and IT integration issues can pose obstacles to implementations.
- Trauma-informed design is not just for mental health facilities. TiD was mentioned by several healthcare experts, and not just for behavioral/mental health spaces. Urgent care centers, even entire health campuses, can benefit from TiD approaches like biophilia, daylight, art, protective spaces, and rooms and areas that feel safe and separated.
- Health facilities as destinations? Posh, daylit waiting and exam rooms, higher-end dining options, outdoor eating and respite spaces, specialized spas, wellness gardens, walking paths. These are just some of the advanced design features and amenities that are becoming commonplace in healthcare environments as health systems work to attract healthcare consumers.
- Hospitals make plans for behavioral and mental health. Health systems are getting creative to safely provide care for patients who are dealing with severe mental/behavioral health issues. Design strategies include secure entry points, fortified building materials like impact-resistant drywall and safety glass, and exam rooms that can quickly flex to behavioral health patient use. For instance, one project features hidden garage doors in the ceiling of flexible patient rooms that come down and cover medical gasses in the headwall.
Download the report at: BDCnetwork.com/2024-Healthcare-Annual.
Related Stories
| Mar 13, 2014
Do you really 'always turn right'?
The first visitor center we designed was the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center for the Everglades National Park in 1993. I remember it well for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the ongoing dialogue we had with our retail consultant. He insisted that the gift shop be located on the right as one exited the visitor center because people “always turn right.”
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Feb 21, 2014
Naturally ventilated hospital planned in Singapore
The Ng Teng Fong General Hospital will take advantage of the region's prevailing breezes to cool the spaces.
| Feb 18, 2014
Study: 90% of healthcare providers say Affordable Care Act is 'step forward,' but major revisions needed
Providers are excited about opportunities to address long-term health issues in the U.S., but worries about the transition persist, according to a new study by Mortenson Construction.
| Feb 17, 2014
Lawmakers may take away control of Florida hospital project from the VA
The project is $100 million over budget and has missed its scheduled completion date.
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
3 keys to designing freestanding emergency departments
Having physically disassociated from a central hospital, FEDs must overcome the particular challenges associated with a satellite location, namely a lack of awareness, appeal, and credibility. Gresham, Smith & Partners' Kristin Herman-Druc offers three keys to success.
| Jan 30, 2014
The evolving workplace: One designer's inspiration board
"Open office" has been a major buzzword for decades, and like any buzzword, some of the novelty has worn off. I don't believe we will abandon the open office, but I do think we need to focus on providing a dynamic mix of open and closed spaces.
| Jan 30, 2014
What's in store for healthcare capital markets in 2014?
Despite the shake up stemming from the Affordable Care Act, 2014 will be an active year in healthcare capital markets, according to real estate experts from CBRE Healthcare.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
