When a new project is under consideration, designers must take into account federal regulations and technical requirements.  They must know exactly what their client’s needs are and what the budget for the project will be.  Different levels of disaster protection and the resulting design implications must also be considered.

 

Before a designer leaves the first meeting with a new healthcare client, it is critically important to learn certain information about the size, scope, and budget of the project.  On the other side of the table, the owner/operator also must consider certain questions and concerns early in the design process.  In this session, the presenter will discuss best practices when working through the early phases of the design process in order to avoid disputes and design/regulatory stumbling blocks later on.  Learn strategies that can help avoid contract and payment issues before the project begins in order to streamline the process for all involved.

                                                           

Another issue that must be considered when designing a new facility is the potential for disaster.  Recent news headlines of man-made and natural disasters have made the potential for experiencing disasters all too real and one of the top priorities of hospitals when planning for the future.   This presentation will serve as a case study of the VA Hospital and New Orleans East Hospital renovation and addition that served to restore healthcare to an area of New Orleans 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. We will discuss the then-current climate of a city-wide recovery effort, the limitations the design team faced in a post-storm environment, and lessons learned for rebuilding a resilient and sustainable hospital campus.