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
| Jul 2, 2013
LEED v4 gets green light, will launch this fall
The U.S. Green Building Council membership has voted to adopt LEED v4, the next update to the world’s premier green building rating system.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.
| Jun 20, 2013
Virtual meetings enhance design of University at Buffalo Medical School
HOK designers in New York, St. Louis and Atlanta are using virtual meetings with their University at Buffalo (UB) client team to improve the design process for UB’s new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
| Jun 19, 2013
New York City considers new construction standards for hospitals, multifamily buildings
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration has proposed new building codes for hospitals and multifamily dwellings in New York City to help them be more resilient in the event of severe weather resulting from climate change.
| Jun 17, 2013
DOE launches database on energy performance of 60,000 buildings
The Energy Department today launched a new Buildings Performance Database, the largest free, publicly available database of residential and commercial building energy performance information.
| Jun 12, 2013
5 building projects that put the 'team' in teamwork
The winners of the 2013 Building Team Awards show that great buildings cannot be built without the successful collaboration of the Building Team.
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 21, 2013
7 tile trends for 2013: Touch-sensitive glazes, metallic tones among top styles
Tile of Spain consultant and ceramic tile expert Ryan Fasan presented his "What's Trending in Tile" roundup at the Coverings 2013 show in Atlanta earlier this month. Here's an overview of Fasan's emerging tile trends for 2013.
