Architecture & Design Track
Healthcare design and the design of healthy communities require an understanding of the physical environment’s influence on healing. The Architecture and Design Track provided a forum for collaboration among healthcare facility decision makers and architecture, design and construction management professionals as they gained new perspectives on their roles in addressing the need to maximize their budgets in order to optimize space, place, practice and process to enhance care delivery and the patient experience. Sharing insight on new and emerging trends in building a patient-centered environment (including patients with special needs) and learning the perspectives of senior executives managing the challenges of healthcare facility design were at the core of this track’s sessions. This track was designed for senior healthcare executives who have operational responsibility for healthcare facility architecture, design and construction, and the professionals in the architectural, design and construction fields targeting the healthcare industry.
1:00 pm -- 2:15 pm Architecture & Design Track: PANEL: A Look at the Hospital of the Future
Moderator: Mark Webb, Chief Executive Officer of University Children’s Health, University Health System
Panelists: Bill Alexander, Healthcare Principal, BSA LifeStructures
Henry Chao, Principal, HOK
Diane Osan, President & CEO, FKP Architects
Listen to an audio recording of this session here.
As technology advances, the way that healthcare is delivered will also continue to advance. The hospital of the future will be different from the hospital we know today. Architects are expected to see into that future and design healthcare facilities that are modern, cost effective, and that will stand the test of time. Designs must also reflect the mission and unique character of each organization. It’s a tall order.
The future promises streamlined and environmentally friendly designs that showcase improved surfaces that will help minimize injuries and are bacteria resistant. Revolutionized care processes will include remote video monitoring from specialists in other locations, increased patient interaction, and improved preventative measures. Changes won’t be only physical though. The healthcare facility of the future will focus on the health of the community at large as well. Emphasis will be given to education, wellness programs, and healthy lifestyles. Preventing illness will be as important as treating illness. This panel of healthcare architects will take a look at their insights on future hospital design. They will share current trends, new technologies and design innovations. The realities of cost considerations will also be addressed. You will come away with new ideas and a fresh perspective on the designs of the future.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the components and processes of hospital design.
- Compare trends and new technologies in the design of healthcare facilities.
- Outline processes that will improve patient experience in the hospital of the future.
- Identify design strategies for cost effective and realistic projects.
2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Architecture & Design Track: Improving Patient Experience Through Design
Moderator: Jill Pearsall, Assistant Vice President, Facilities Planning and Development, Texas Children's Hospital
Presenters: John Brownrigg, Health Care Market Leader, Pedco E & A Services, Inc.
Craig Zimring, Professor of Architecture, Director, SimTigrate Design Lab, Georgia Institute of Technology
Today’s consumers are more selective than ever before. This includes the healthcare patient, who finds him or herself with more options for choosing their care providers than in the past. Today’s patient expects to receive care in surroundings that are family oriented, comfortable, and inviting. Entertainment and amenities are becoming the norm instead of the exception. The design of a healthcare facility is a crucial factor in improving patient experience. From layouts that save time and reduce stress to aesthetics that put patients at ease and bring a smile, the design process is at the heart of making the patient experience better from beginning to end.
Part 1 of this session will cover the latest innovations in patient-centric design. Learn about recent successful projects that provide creative solutions to make the patient experience the best that it can be. From first impressions to checkout and beyond, ensuring that patients and their families are made to feel welcome in healing and peaceful environments is the goal.
Part 2 of this session will examine the increased focus on wellness in the workplace. Already a $40 billion industry, (though only 9% of the 3 billion-plus global workers have access to some type of related program), this trend uses building environments as a vehicle to deliver preventive wellness and healthier living to people who typically spend 90% of their days and nights indoors. Learn about design for healthy environments that use guidelines such as the WELL Building Standard, developed by the International Well Building Institute (IWBI). These standards take a holistic approach to health in the built environment by addressing behavior, operations, and design and the potential impact on patients and care-givers at access points throughout the Continuum of Care. Engineering design for healthy environments is a trend that has already begun. Creating an “Environment of Healing” in buildings of all types will be a temporary differentiator for healthcare systems in attracting caregivers and patients. In the longer term, all buildings will be designed to provide “Environments of Healing”.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the challenges in designing healthcare facilities for today’s patient.
- Determine best processes for designs that improve patient experience.
- Understand the trends in designing and building healthy environments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the components of the WELL Building Standard.
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm Architecture & Design Track: Designinging for Preparedness: Considerations, Challenges, and Solutions
Moderator: Ric Goodhue, CMRP, Equipment Planner/Capital Coordinator, Purchasing Department, CaroMont Health
Presenters: Travis Cowie, Associate Principal, HKS, Inc.
Ryan Felton, Project Director, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Sheri Mitchell, Associate, HKS, Inc.
Before the design process begins, there are a myriad of factors that must be carefully considered. Designers are challenged with creating a facility that is able to meet the needs of each and every patient that comes through its doors. In addition to providing spaces for optimum healthcare, the building must be designed to have safeguards in place to ensure the safety of patients and the staff in all situations. It must be designed in the most cost effective manner with the most state-of-the-art equipment. Without a magic wand, it’s a real challenge to meet the many demands a new project or renovation brings with it.
One of the most important of these demands is the need for facilities to be designed to be crisis ready. While natural disasters are certainly included in the list, they are no longer the primary focus when planning for the possibility of a crisis. Designers must consider other types of emergency situations as well, including infectious disease outbreak, an active shooter situation, bomb threats, and more. Learn best practices for designs that recognize and address the many potential types of crisis and how best to prepare for them.
Getting the most out of your capital budget is vital with healthcare budgets stretched thinner than ever before. Part two of this session will address the challenges of design development and budget management and offer solutions that will enable you to spend smart money now in order to avoid spending wasted money down the road. Topics will include how to keep the numbers realistic, how to accurately identify costs and risks, the importance of keeping the project team involved and informed, and how to fully utilize available resources.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate understanding of the numerous types of emergency situations for which healthcare facilities must be prepared.
- Explore the challenges in designing a facility that is truly crisis ready.
- Identify budget strategies and best practices that may be addressed in the design process.