The Strategic Role Facilities Play
05-15-17
“Healthcare leaders are very focused on the accounting side and patient care, and have not realized that healthcare facilities are part of the solution,” says R. Wayne Estopinal, President, TEG Architects. “Hospital CEOs would serve their health systems well if they ensured that facility decisions were guided by a master plan and thus consistent with the C-suite strategic plan. Far too often those decisions and directives are left to building services, maintenance or engineering, but they have very far reaching strategic and ROI consequences on the organization,” he adds. TEG Architects is a solution provider at the marcus evans NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CXO SUMMIT SPRING 2017, in Orlando, Florida, May 15-17.
In healthcare, what does intelligent growth through strategic master planning mean?
The idea that we are in a very competitive environment should not be missed regarding facilities. Healthcare executives have worked incredibly hard to build in efficiencies and productivity in their operations, but the design of facilities is frequently missed. Many health systems are investing in facilities, but it should be done very strategically to gain maximal efficiency and productivity of not just the facilities but also the staff who will be using them. Facilities will play an even bigger role in the next step of building in efficiencies, price awareness, productivity and offsetting competition. They will play a huge role in delivering care as economically as possible.
Why don’t most healthcare leaders focus on this?
They concentrate on the accounting side and patient care. The facility is not the first idea that comes to mind when they start looking at ways to be more competitive, attract a diverse market and attract physicians. The new breed of medical graduates are looking at quality of life and they want a health system that will allow them to be highly efficient and productive, with access to patients and diagnostics.
What are the key attributes of master planning?
The primary benefit of doing a facility master plan is that you will be able to help model the clinical delivery process in an orderly fashion. Many hospitals across the US have been expanded time and time again without the conscious-ness of what was being done to the clinical delivery flow or understanding patient and staff flows.
A master plan would allow the health system to look 5-15 years down the road and understand where major additions and renovations would possibly occur.
A thorough master plan is not expensive when you compare it against costly mistakes. Putting in a fiber optic line or a new electrical service in the wrong location might cost hundreds of thousands to relocate. If they have a plan that maintains clinical integrity and gives engineering folks an understanding of future expansions, they will locate the data cable outside that footprint and avoid unnecessary relocation costs.
“A master plan stops existing and new facilities from wasting money”
– Wayne Estopinal, President of TEG Architects
How does a better facility design impact a hospital’s bottom line?
Facility expansions are true investments, so we expect a return on those funds. It is important to track the major departments, such as surgery, emergency and imaging, and compare the financials before and after each project. We look at net revenues, staffing costs, the modalities they provide, to understand what the ROI is. Using the community-based healthcare metrics we can tell a client what revenue increase to expect.
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About TEG
TEG is an internationally recognized firm focusing on comprehensive facility planning, architecture, visualization and interior design services. Understanding the client’s business, mission, challenges and competitive landscape forms the basis by which TEG delivers its menu of services. The firm specializes in health care, wellness, educational, municipal and commercial facilities. For More Information Contact:
Brandi Jones
Marketing Coordinator – Business Development
TEG Architects
P. 812.282.3700
E. BKJONES@TEG123.COM
About the National Healthcare CXO Summit Spring 2016
TEG Architects is a solution provider at the marcus evans NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CXO SUMMIT SPRING 2016. This premium forum brings senior level healthcare executives and solution providers together and offers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the healthcare industry. Taking place at the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Palm Beach, Florida, May 15-17, 2016, the Summit includes presentations on healthcare reform and the ACA, managing population health and improving patient experience, and positioning the organization for short and long-term success. For more information please send an email to PRESS@MARCUSEVANSCY.COM or visit the event WEBSITE.
