The American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) has released the key findings of a survey of its members revealing their insights on the future of healthcare architecture and the role of design in the context of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.
“The extensive experience of ACHA’s healthcare architects gives us unique insights into how this pandemic will shape the future of healthcare,” said Vince Avallone, AIA, ACHA, CASp, LEED AP, the ACHA's President. “These findings will influence the design of hospitals and healthcare environments for years to come.”
Â
ACHA CORONAVIRUS SURVEY REVEALS HEALTHCARE DESIGNERS' ROLE IN ADDRESSING THE PANDEMIC
The ACHA survey revealed:
• Over 63% of respondents helped clients evaluate alternative care sites.
• Over 60% of ACHA experts were called on to help healthcare systems increase capacity – 28% created over 100 beds.
• Over 70% of respondents believe design for mass casualty patient surges will be an important element for hospitals in the future.
• Over 80% of respondents thought the telehealth boom would have major impact on facility design.
ACHA surveyed 129 certified professional healthcare designers to reveal lessons learned from COVID-19 and the role of architects in addressing the crisis. Participants represent areas across North America, including many severely affected states such as New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, and Pennsylvania.
Â
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
The survey also identified the healthcare designers' concerns about the future:
• How can hospitals be designed so normal operations (such as elective procedures) can continue through a pandemic so as not to disrupt regular patient treatment and create financial shortfalls for providing institutions?
• With the likely implementation of restrictions on patient/visitor traffic flow to control cross-contamination, how will this transform facility intake and entry design?
• How will increased restrictions placed on patient/visitor traffic flow to control cross-contamination transform facility intake and entry design?
• How can architects emphasize building flexible, adaptable facilities that can be easily modified to allow a quick response to changing medical priorities?
• How can healthcare and non-healthcare facilities be designed to handle patient overflow in a more expedient fashion?
“ACHA certificate holders represent a majority of the nation’s top healthcare design firms,” said Avallone, a Vice President/Senior Medical Planner at SmithGroup. “These results show our continuing commitment to help develop solutions for future healthcare design challenges. ”
For the full results of the survey, click here.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Apr 9, 2020
COVID-19 Design Innovation Grant: IDA offers $14,000 to spur design innovation for combating the coronavirus pandemic
The International Design Awards is looking for innovations in low-cost ventilators, in-home isolation pods, and reusable masks.
Coronavirus | Apr 9, 2020
COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital
COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital
Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020
AIA task force launches tool for assessing COVID-19 alternative care sites
The tool is intended to assist non-healthcare design professionals with identifying alternative sites suitable for patient care.
Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020
COVID-19 alert: Most U.S. roofing contractors hit by coronavirus, says NRCA
NRCA survey shows 52% of roofing contractor said COVID-19 pandemic was having a significant or very significant impact on their businesses.
Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020
Navigate supply chain and manufacturing challenges during disruption
First, most important and most complex: Create an extensive safety plan for your facilities and job sites that protects both the personnel onsite and the end users of your product.
Coronavirus | Apr 7, 2020
How to turn a high school into a patient care center in 15 days
HKS’s concept paper presents three scenarios.
Coronavirus | Apr 7, 2020
New Trump administration guidance now allows firms with 500 of fewer employees to qualify for paycheck protection program loans
Associated General Contractors of America secures fix to loan qualifications after alerting administration officials to small business administration language that excluded many firms.
Coronavirus | Apr 6, 2020
New small business administration loan guidance appears to exclude many construction firms that employ fewer than 500 people
Construction officials urge agency to make clear that firms that employ 500 or fewer people to qualify for paycheck protection program loans, regardless of revenue.
Coronavirus | Apr 6, 2020
Pandemic preparedness: How hospitals can adapt buildings to address worst-case scenarios
A Canadian healthcare architect looks at how hospital staff can act now to modify facilities and contain a pandemic.
Coronavirus | Apr 5, 2020
COVID-19: Most multifamily contractors experiencing delays in projects due to coronavirus pandemic
The NMHC Construction Survey is intended to gauge the magnitude of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak on multifamily construction.