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By Estefany Andino-Mendez, C.J. Peter and Anthony Grgas

October 2017

Health care is challenging. And while renovation in health care facilities might not be as challenging, maintenance and engineering managers know all too well that the process presents its own set of hurdles and complications.

After years of use, a health care facility often requires renovation to ensure it operates safely, reliably and energy efficiently. Moreover, given advances in medical technology, a facility also can require renovation to accommodate the latest treatment methods and tools.

To keep pace with constant change, how do managers navigate around renovation in a health care facility without bringing everything to a standstill?

Spotlight on patients

Managers can avoid problems during renovations of health care facilities through careful planning of the project. Managers and their staffs need to follow the protocols of the construction process, and they must be careful their activities do not compromise the health and safety of the patients. A patient is at risk during treatment, so even the slightest noise or discomfort can cause problems.

In most cases, renovations take place in a section of the hospital while adjoining areas remain functional. Managers must be sure construction contaminants do not escape into the clean areas of the hospital, that power remains on when work is carried out on the facility’s electrical infrastructure, and that access and communication are maintained at all times for continuous treatment.

By phasing renovation projects and making sure work happens to avoid interfering with patient care, managers can mitigate these challenges. Managers also need to work with hospital staff to be sure they are informed of any work in the vicinity. A staff that is involved in the process tends to be more cooperative than one that is not because they are better able to prepare for disruptions.