HP’s Anastasia Barnes recently caught up with Nancy Hanright, senior director, real estate & space planning at Boston Medical Center Health System, to talk about the latest trends in healthcare facility design and how organizations like Boston Medical Center are meeting the evolving needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals through the use of technology and other considerations.
Anastasia Barnes: What are some of the key trends you’re observing in healthcare facility design and construction, particularly regarding patient experience, operational efficiency, and sustainability?
Nancy Hanright
Nancy Hanright: Building multi-disciplinary facilities allows patients to get the full continuum of care in one location. This allows for better collaboration between clinicians and support staff and eliminates the stress put on a patient when having to move between multiple buildings. As an example, we recently built new ambulatory primary care clinics and included support services such as phlebotomy, pharmacy and radiology services in the same building. We also built a physical therapy clinic that included exam rooms for orthopedic physicians to provide care as well as an imaging room. This is not only convenient for the patient but creates a holistic approach and improved patient outcomes.
Sustainable design is another key trend. The use of eco-friendly materials and construction practices reduces environmental impact and reduces our carbon footprint. Understanding your real estate portfolio and maximizing your square footage will not only create operational efficiency but energy efficiency as well.
The third trend we’ve observed is flexibility in design. Healthcare is constantly evolving; treatments change, staff come and go. You really have to build for today while thinking about tomorrow. This requires strategic planning so you are not just building for the current state but where you want to be 5 to 10 years from now.
AB: How has technology, such as advanced building systems or telehealth integration, influenced the planning and development at Boston Medical Center (BMC) in recent years?
NH: Advanced building technology is really about automation and controls. Having smart systems for lighting and HVAC controls allows for more energy efficiency and operational control. One cool example of how BMC has leveraged technology comes from up in the sky! We have a rooftop farm on one of our buildings, which absorbs rain water and reduces our carbon footprint while providing thousands of pounds of fresh, healthy produce that we in turn provide to our patients. The irrigation system is set up in such a way that supplemental water turns on only when needed and can be controlled with an app!
BMC’s South Bay PT clinic / Photo courtesy of ISGenuity
We have had to think a bit differently as it relates to building spaces that we can successfully telehealth in. Ensuring, for instance, that the right technology is in place so our clinical staff can conduct virtual consultations as effectively as they would if the patient came in will allow us the ability to reduce the need for traditional exam rooms. Conversely, we have had patients come to campus not realizing they had a telehealth appointment, so ensuring we have a space for them to go to be ‘”seen” is also important. We just recently started a Hospital at Home program. Without the use of technology, this would not be achievable.
AB: In what ways are healthcare organizations (specifically BMC) adapting their infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, especially in light of recent global events that have impacted healthcare delivery?
NH: Enhancing flexibility and leveraging technology to ensure continuity and quality of care in the post Covid-19 era is a must. Ventilation systems with improved HEPA filters and UV systems are necessary to help reduce airborne pathogens. You’ll see more and more requests to convert not just rooms but whole patient floors to negative pressure to safely manage infectious patents. In addition, improving overall safety is another important aspect that has more recently been in the global spotlight.
AB: Can you share any insights on the role of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches between architects, engineers, healthcare providers, and construction teams in creating innovative and effective healthcare environments?
NH: Innovation comes when creativity fosters ideas that solve problems. That requires a level of trust. Our most successful projects are those where our AEC partners and healthcare providers are not only aligned in mission but trust the process. Collaboration is paramount to the success of any project.
