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Future-Proofing Healthcare: Five Reasons Why a Strategic Facility Study is Essential for Sustainable Growth

By Craig Scully PE, LEED AP

November 6, 2024
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In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, organizations must balance immediate operational needs with long-term strategic planning. A Strategic Facility Study (SFS) is an essential tool for healthcare leaders, helping to align facility management strategies with their organization’s mission and goals.
Three people talking on a job site
Three people talking on a job site

What is a Strategic Facility Study?

A Strategic Facility Study evaluates healthcare facilities in relation to the organization’s long-term objectives. It provides comprehensive insights that empower leaders to make informed decisions about their facilities, ensuring they can deliver high-quality patient care.

Why Would You Initiate an SFS?

Initiating an SFS in a healthcare context offers numerous advantages:

It provides a better understanding of your current facility(s) state. With an SFS, you can gain insights into the condition of your facilities, which is crucial for maintaining patient safety and operational efficiency, and identify critical deficiencies that could impact patient care or operational workflow.

It assists with short- and long-term maintenance and facility planning by helping you plan for immediate and future maintenance needs to enhance operational effectiveness. You can also assess whether any facilities should be repurposed, renovated, or decommissioned.

It prioritizes capital and maintenance expenditures. Use the study to make informed decisions about resource allocation to maximize patient care and operational efficiency.

It identifies opportunities for enhanced sustainability by discovering strategies to improve your environmental impact and reduce energy costs, benefiting both your organization and the community.

It can supply evidence for strategic planning. An SFS can provide concrete data and insights to support your strategic initiatives, budget requests, and funding proposals. It can also validate internal assessments with an independent perspective, enhancing credibility.
Woman photography light fixture on ceiling Man studying documents
Woman photography light fixture on ceiling Man studying documents

What Does a Strategic Facility Study Evaluate?

An effective strategic facility study evaluates several critical areas in four key categories: life safety and compliance; architecture; mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems; and special systems.

Life safety and compliance components include examining how well your facility(s) meets the current state building codes, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code and FGI Guidelines for healthcare design and construction.

Architecture elements include building structure, building envelope, interiors and finishes, stairways and ramps, and accessibility for your patients and staff.

MEP systems are comprised of the building’s HVAC equipment, boiler/chiller plants, piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment, lighting, power distribution and fire alarm systems to ensure optimal patient and staff comfort and safety.

Special Systems can include the facility’s site features and amenities, accessories and equipment, vertical transportation and conveying systems, and radiation protection in specialized departments.

What Does the study Include?

The Process: During the study, we examine existing drawings to analyze current architectural and engineering documents. Meetings with facilities leadership and site visits or walkthroughs with staff help to identify existing conditions and future needs.

A review of building and life safety codes and FGI Guidelines ensure compliance with applicable healthcare regulations and assess facilities against standards for healthcare environments.

Lastly, we estimate the financial implications for addressing any identified issues to aid in decision making and provide a timeline for anticipated facility needs.

The Deliverables: Healthcare facility leaders that initiate an SFS should expect to receive a detailed report that includes building data, executive summaries, detailed narratives about conditions, and cost analyses. Key analysis measurements provide the average age of facility assets and Facility Condition Index (FCI) for informed planning and budgeting.
Man in mechanical room Facility Condition Index graphic
Man in mechanical room Facility Condition Index graphic

When is the Best Time to Initiate an SFS?

Optimal times to initiate an SFS include capital planning for new projects, master planning for facility upgrades, future planning for expanding services, and seasonal considerations since weather can impact facility assessments and operations.

A strategic facility study is not just an evaluation; it’s a vital roadmap for the future of your healthcare facilities. By investing in this comprehensive analysis, healthcare organizations can ensure that their facilities not only meet current demands but are also prepared for sustainable growth and success. Whether addressing urgent challenges or planning for long-term goals, an SFS is a strategic necessity.

Is your building in need of a strategic facility study? Our experts can help conduct a facility assessment and give you the tools you need to make informed decisions about your building’s future. Contact us to get started.

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