On September 14th, 2023, the AMFP Colorado event Building the Healthtech Horizon, How Healthcare & Technology Convergence Reshape Construction brought together industry leaders at Saint Joseph Hospital's Russell Pavilion in Denver. The panel, moderated by Cherie Dice, Health Principal at HDR, featured three distinguished experts, including Equinox HIT's Founder and Principal:
Teal Heath, FACHE, Principal and Founder of Equinox HIT
Skanda V. Skandaverl, Division Director, Facilities Management National Real Estate Services for Common Spirit
Mark McComb, Vice President, Managing Principal – Technology Team, Introba.
These experts tackled a range of critical questions that shed light on the evolving nature of healthcare construction in our tech-driven world. The moderator ensured consistent engagement with the audience to enhance to conversation. Here are the key takeaways from their discussion:
Strategies for Adapting to Emerging Technologies
The event kicked off with a thought-provoking discussion about the rapid pace of technological advancement. Panelists discussed the strategies they have observed and implemented to ensure healthcare construction projects remain adaptable, embracing the ever-changing world of emerging technologies. The rise of smart hospitals and healthcare facilities demands that technology be integrated into the very fabric of these buildings.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Panelists shared insights into the power of data in healthcare construction. Common Spirit, a leading healthcare system, is harnessing data analytics to optimize its facilities and make informed decisions. This data-driven approach not only enhances patient care but also helps in the efficient allocation of resources, resulting in cost savings. Teal highlighted how interpreting the data is very important and that more healthcare organizations are prioritizing the Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework to assess their sustainability and ethical performance.
Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Approach
The importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals, technology experts, architects, and construction teams is stressed amongst the panelists. Successful healthcare construction projects now require an interdisciplinary approach from the initial planning stage through completion. The best success is when clinical teams are involved from the start to provide input. Face-to-face meetings are of the utmost importance and there shouldn't be spending cuts on sending key players to perform site walks.
The Role of Sustainability
In the age of healthcare technology, sustainability remains a crucial factor. The panelists highlighted the significance of sustainable construction practices and how they align with the healthcare sector's commitment to patient well-being and environmental responsibility. Teal highlighted a company she came across recently, Sion60, a start-up in Denver that has built a carbon emissions reduction platform at a low cost exclusively for healthcare. Not only does this lend itself to sustainability and providing healthcare systems with a way to measure the ROI, but it’s also the right thing to do.
Patient-Centered Care
Throughout the discussion, the concept of patient-centered care was a recurring theme. The panelists emphasized that the ultimate goal of healthcare construction should always be to enhance the patient experience. Technology should be leveraged to create healing environments that are comfortable, safe, and conducive to recovery.
AMFP Colorado's event offered a deep dive into the evolving landscape of healthcare construction in the age of technology. The panelists provided valuable insights into strategies for adaptability in the face of emerging technologies and the integration of technology into smart healthcare facilities. Their expertise underscored the crucial role that construction professionals play in shaping the future of healthcare delivery through innovative and technology-driven facility design. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the fusion of healthcare and technology will undoubtedly redefine the way we approach healthcare construction.
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