The $400 billion healthcare construction industry has seen its fair share of change over the years. From new materials and the latest technological advances to updated building standards set by the Facility Guidelines Institute and reviewed by The Joint Commission, healthcare construction is constantly evolving. While many trends in the industry come and go, pre-fabrication and modular construction – one of the biggest trends in healthcare today – is here to stay.

Put simply, modular construction is the process of constructing a building off-site through the use of modules, then fitting them together in a pre-planned order at the job site. The Modular Building Institute further defines the process as construction “under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials and designing to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities, but in about half the time.”

As with any new trend, it’s important to consider the advantages and challenges before moving forward. Let’s dive first into the benefits of pursuing modular construction.

Benefits of modular construction.

Reduced time.

One of the most common phrases you’ll hear in modular construction is “speed to market.” Modular construction considerably cuts down on the time needed to build a facility, meaning more patients can be admitted into your healthcare facility faster. Though both modular and regular construction processes start with a detailed design plan, permit approvals and groundbreaking, modular construction soon pulls ahead. As the foundation and excavation is taking place at the job site, the modular facility is being built in an off-site factory at the exact same time. That means no delays from the groundbreaking process or inclement weather. What takes some construction projects 12 months to complete can be finished in just 60-90 days through modular construction.

Lowered costs.

Affordability is another significant benefit of modular construction. Costly delays are avoided due to modularity’s quality control. There are specialized inspections in place as modules are constructed and moved down the assembly line. This strategy catches and corrects defects as they appear, without affecting other areas of the project. As modular construction becomes the norm, the overall cost to manufacturers will also continue to decrease.

Reliability and repeatability.

All in all, modular construction has a very reliable format and timeline. The process is incredibly streamlined. As the modules are completed in a controlled environment where materials and quality of work is checked before, during and after, your team can take comfort in knowing that the project is getting done without an impacted timeline or budget. Once you’ve built one healthcare facility with modular construction, your branding standard can easily be repeated with facilities of the same type, too. Future facilities can take on a standardized look, feel and color that’ll be familiar to your associates and patients.

Challenges of modular construction.

Modular construction isn’t without its disadvantages. Since the construction happens off-site, the modules of your new facility will need to be carefully rigged and transported directly to the job site. The transportation process requires delicate care, as one mishap in transit can result in significant repairs. Additionally, the operation requires more complex decision making for design, material selection and coordination much earlier in the process, effectively “front-loading” the project team’s involvement before the typical start of construction due to modularity’s quick turnaround. Similar to manufacturing environments, once the process is underway revisions to design and materials will have a significant impact on the manufacturing schedule. With that, even though the overall cost is reduced, the initial fees early on are likely to be higher. Connect with your manufacturer early in the process to understand anticipated costs, timing and decisions.

For your consideration.

As modular construction becomes more prevalent in the healthcare sector and you weigh the pros and cons, you may wonder: Why should our industry embrace this trend? To help determine if modular construction is right for your next healthcare facility project, evaluate three elements with your potential manufacturing partner:

1. Capability: Does the manufacturer of the final project have the capability to do what they say they can do? Look into the manufacturer’s recent achievements and if they’ve utilized pre-fabrication and/or modules in the past.
2. Capacity: Does the manufacturer have the capacity to produce your vision? Too often, a manufacturer’s capability and capacity do not match.
3. Maturity: What is the manufacturer’s maturity? Are there thousands of workers available with an existing distribution channel that can handle the volume coming their way? Are the required materials available or on-site? An ample supply chain and experience in the field is crucial.

Going from blueprints to ribbon cutting is an arduous process, but with modular construction, it doesn’t have to be. Building a multi-functional healthcare facility that will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week isn’t just a goal, it’s a necessity. Modular construction helps set the foundation for your next healthcare project by doing just the opposite – setting it off-site.

Mike Wood is the Vice President of Planning, Design, Construction & Energy at Medxcel, specializing in the creation, direction, organization and administration of Medxcel’s national construction portfolio.

The post Modular Construction in Healthcare: Preparations, Advantages and Challenges appeared first on HCO News.

Patients who undergo invasive procedures are at a higher risk of contracting HAIS. Invasive procedures that may contribute to the contraction of an HAI can range from surgery to simply having an IV placed.

With new health care technologies on the market, however, health care facilities are fighting to reduce the prevalence of HAIs to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and health care staff. Jacie Volkman, MPH, CIC, is an infection control consultant for MEIKO USA, a disinfection appliance manufacturer, who has seen firsthand the benefits of HAI fighting technologies and design techniques.

They not only protect patients from infections, but they can protect visitors and staff as well, since anyone in contact with a patient or contaminated equipment are also at risk of infection, Volkman said. They can also increase the efficiency of the health care provider by helping to establish best practices at the point of care.

The failure to appropriately clean hands, equipment or patient rooms in between patients can lead to HAIs. Effective and accessible disinfection technologies can reduce the likelihood of these infections, Volkman said.

Designing a room where PPE (personal protective equipment) is available where sinks are accessible for hand washing, surfaces are antimicrobial, equipment and supplies can be disinfected easily is a practical way to decrease the risk of infection, she said. With things like these Storemasta PPE Cabinets available, storing this safety equipment is easily done. Things like face masks, hand sanitizer, and medical equipment can be offered in these cabinets. Offering not only patients but also employees equipment like you can find on sites such as ppesuppliesdirect.com and others, will greatly decrease the likelihood of infection spreading.

Intensive Care Units in particular are considered the highest risk areas of the hospital due to the fact that most patients have some sort of invasive procedure or device, Volkman said.

Some new technologies, or reengineering of old technologies, include UV light disinfection, bedpan washers, antimicrobial surfaces and textiles, Shark pattern surfaces and automated hand-washing machines, Volkman said. The inclusion of these technologies can free up more time for health care staff to attend to patient needs more quickly and efficiently.

Making it easy to do the right thing, and to be able to do it at the bedside, makes care more efficient and increases the caregivers ability to focus on the patient, Volkman said.

Some examples of facilities focusing on the reduction of HAIs are Sentara Healthcare, which features copper infused surfaces, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, which has used UV light for disinfection, Volkman said. More hospitals throughout the nation are also using bedpan washers.

Technologies and design strategies to reduce HAIs are an invaluable investment in hospitals, Volkman said.
The first step is figuring out how to make it easy for caregivers to do the right thing, she said. Facilities also need to understand that may mean a little work or cost up front, but in the end, you cant put a price on the lives you save.

The post Design Strategies, Technologies Deter Hospital-Acquired Infections appeared first on HCO News.