The state of healthcare in our nation today is at the brink of significant change, as the passing of healthcare reform impacts everything from how health systems operate to the use of technology in managing and providing care. To help healthcare leaders navigate the increasingly complex environment, DPR Construction (“DPR”), a national technical builder specializing in highly complex and sustainable projects, conducted a year-long study to gather the perspectives of more than 40 CEOs, owners, designers and management consultants. The study found that health economics, healthcare delivery and buildings of the future are three key areas that will become increasingly important to the health industry over the next 10 years.
Using a mix of in-person interviews and online surveys with DPR customers and other leading organizations, DPR’s “Future of Healthcare” study also identified 10 areas of change that will be integral to shaping the industry’s future. These include:
- Accountable Care Organizations
- Pay-for-Performance
- Aging Population
- Electronic Medical Records
- Healthcare Worker Shortage
- Sophisticated Diagnostic and Treatment Equipment
- Handheld Computers and Portable Diagnostic Equipment
- Medical Homes
- Holistic, Patient-Centered Environment
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Health economics
Among study participants, many noted that systems are not fully prepared for the increasing population of aging individuals. When healthcare reform does get fully implemented, 32 million more insured U.S. citizens will skyrocket demand. Both will contribute to an already stressed system, making health economics one of the most critical elements of the industry’s future. While new and upgraded technologies entering the market will put strain on health providers’ and systems’ budgets, being able to deliver health that is patient-centric, centralized and vertically integrated will become increasingly important and help deliver better care while reducing costs.
“We have worked with leading healthcare providers for many years, and we clearly see that 2012 is heading into an unprecedented era in managing health economics. Cash flow is more strained than ever due to continued economic uncertainty and a slow recessionary recovery, making cost cutting a priority for health system executives,” said Hamilton Espinosa, DPR’s National Healthcare Group Leader. “The perspectives of these executives reinforced what we’ve been hearing: providers are seeking to deliver the best care while striving to be cost effective.”
Health delivery
According to the study’s findings, hospitals of the future will only serve acute-care patients. Outpatient facilities will deliver less critical care for less cost, while serving broader regional sites. Detroit-based Beaumont Health System, an 18-year recipient of the “Best Hospitals” ranking by U.S. News & World Report, was one of the study’s participants and discussed the evolution. “The hospital will become just for the highest acuity care. The focus needs to shift to home health, primary care and outpatient care,” said Gene Michalski, CEO of Beaumont Health System.
Additionally, health information technology will remain the backbone of delivery, helping to ensure care is delivered more efficiently to lower overall cost. “We are 20 years behind on IT infrastructure, and IT improvements are taking capital that might otherwise have gone to facilities at this time,” noted study participant John Kemper, CEO of KLMK Group, a leading provider of innovative facility solutions to healthcare owners for more than 25 years.
Buildings of the future
With limited access to capital, many noted that fewer new projects will take place and more renovations will rise, largely driven by the need to meet patient satisfaction standards over the long-term. At the same time, better technology will drive overall innovation in technical construction – meaning buildings of the future will be adaptable, both in terms of patient needs and technology. “As health technologies become more sophisticated and simultaneously require less physical space, server and data center support needs will increase,” said DPR’s Espinosa. “Future building will need to accommodate these trends, with increased emphasis around design and system integration to save on costs.”
Additional operational insights
DPR’s Future of Healthcare study also found that 17% of respondents agreed the formation of Accountable Care Organizations – organizations of healthcare providers who agree to be accountable for the quality, cost and overall care of those enrolled in their program – would have the greatest impact over the next five years, followed by pay-for-performance and the growth of the nation’s aging population (tied at 14 percent). Additionally, growth in implementation of universal platforms of care that offer customizable experiences will also be important, while new kinds of outpatient services will provide many of the medical functions previously confined to the hospital.
For additional study results and findings visit: http://www.dpr.com/assets/docs/the-future-of-healthcare.pdf?/futureofhc. +
Related Stories
| Dec 2, 2014
Nonresidential construction spending rebounds in October
This month's increase in nonresidential construction spending is far more consistent with the anecdotal information floating around the industry, says ABC's Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
| Dec 1, 2014
How public-private partnerships can help with public building projects
Minimizing lifecycle costs and transferring risk to the private sector are among the benefits to applying the P3 project delivery model on public building projects, according to experts from Skanska USA.
| Nov 25, 2014
Emerging design and operation strategies for the ambulatory team in transition
As healthcare systems shift their care models to be more responsive to patient-centered care, ambulatory care teams need to be positioned to operate efficiently in their everyday work environments, write CannonDesign Health Practice leaders Tonia Burnette and Mike Pukszta.
| Nov 20, 2014
Lean Led Design: How Building Teams can cut costs, reduce waste in healthcare construction projects
Healthcare organizations are under extreme pressure to reduce costs, writes CBRE Healthcare's Lora Schwartz. Tools like Lean Led Design are helping them cope.
| Nov 18, 2014
5 big trends changing the world of academic medicine
Things are changing in healthcare. Within academic medicine alone, there is a global shortage of healthcare professionals, a changing policy landscape within the U..S., and new view and techniques in both pedagogy and practice, writes Perkins+Will’s Pat Bosch.
| Nov 14, 2014
Haskell acquires FreemanWhite, strengthens healthcare design-build business
The combination expands Haskell’s geographic presence by adding FreemanWhite’s offices in Chicago, Charlotte, Nashville, and San Diego. FreemanWhite will retain its name and brand.
| Oct 30, 2014
CannonDesign releases guide for specifying flooring in healthcare settings
The new report, "Flooring Applications in Healthcare Settings," compares and contrasts different flooring types in the context of parameters such as health and safety impact, design and operational issues, environmental considerations, economics, and product options.
| Oct 30, 2014
Perkins Eastman and Lee, Burkhart, Liu to merge practices
The merger will significantly build upon the established practices—particularly healthcare—of both firms and diversify their combined expertise, particularly on the West Coast.
| Oct 21, 2014
Passive House concept gains momentum in apartment design
Passive House, an ultra-efficient building standard that originated in Germany, has been used for single-family homes since its inception in 1990. Only recently has the concept made its way into the U.S. commercial buildings market.
| Oct 21, 2014
Hartford Hospital plans $150 million expansion for Bone and Joint Institute
The bright-white structures will feature a curvilinear form, mimicking bones and ligament.
