Developing Healthcare

Upgrading or replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is one of the most cited energy improvements hospital executives are implementing, 37% according to a Health Facilities Management 2011 survey. It’s no surprise either as enhancing these systems are tried-and-true methods of generating cost savings as well as promoting patient care. Hospitals consume massive [...]

How can hospitals promote efficiency and high-quality results? Look at a Lean approach when designing a new hospital or redesigning an existing one. Used as a way of managing data gathering and analysis to help develop a smooth workflow environment, Lean methods help direct optimal operational layout of health facilities. Lean initiatives involve hospitals identifying [...]

At the last Interface Medical Office Conference I attended, a common theme among hospital executives was conserving their capital and investing it into the infrastructures of their hospitals. Infrastructure upgrades typically include heating ventilating and cooling systems (HVAC), health information technology such electronic health records, and very importantly, lighting upgrades. Upgrading to more efficient lighting [...]

Rises as much as 20-30% in steel prices made headlines recently, and while construction projects are affected by the price increase, it will lead to engineers and architects finding more efficient building techniques. This applies especially to healthcare construction projects. Due to long-term capital planning, hospitals, more so than other building types, are under continuous [...]

My friend and colleague Jim McCarthy, Manager of Preconstruction Services for The Ledcor Group, is a recognized international authority in “green” building and sustainable construction. Jim has shared his insight regarding strategies for the maximization of energy resources related to future development and renovation of medical real estate in the white paper as seen below. [...]

In the United States the healthcare sector ranks second, after fast food, as the most energy-intensive industry, spending $8.5 billion on energy every year[2]. Hospitals alone spend roughly $5 billion a year on energy costs. Given that hospitals have high energy demands for heating and cooling; ventilation and lighting; and plug loads, they consume almost [...]