As the leading commercial construction partner throughout the Lehigh Valley, we see a lot of changing development, design, and construction trends. More recently, there are unique nuances and insights to consider should you be considering a build or renovation project with a healthcare facility. From private practice dental offices to expansive hospital complexes, today’s medical offices are vastly different from those built just a few short years ago. Today, we’ll share some of the design, building, and construction trends you should consider before taking the next step in facilitating your commercial construction project.
Healthcare Facilities Differ from Other Commercial Construction Projects
Most commercial construction projects are designed and executed through a lens of space functionality. But when you’re exploring a healthcare facility building project, the function of the space is amplified. Every detail is carefully managed for flow and function, but also with a focus on safety, regulatory compliance, patient satisfaction, infection risk control, and staff efficiency. When incorporating new ideas, keeping a pinpoint precision focus on these areas is paramount.
Healthcare-related facilities are becoming more niche, too. Your commercial construction project might be one or a combination of any of these types of healthcare buildings:
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory Centers
- Outpatient Clinics
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Dental Offices
- Clinical Lab Facilities
- Hospice Care Facilities
- Dialysis Center
Because of these unique dynamics, there is more pressure on the builders and engineers to execute these functions, aesthetics, forms, and requirements as the priority.
What Healthcare Organizations Learned from the Pandemic
Healthcare organizations evolve their building and facility designs all the time, based on new insights into patient care and in response to service challenges. But, the pandemic certainly highlighted many of the functional flaws or areas in need of improvement. It also made those challenges more immediate to address for many organizations. And those challenges continue to inspire a sweeping need for commercial construction renovations and new projects for private practices and healthcare organizations nationwide.
There are advantages to adopting some of these emerging building trends and healthcare facility improvements, too. When you keep these considerations handy throughout your construction design and building process, you can expect to:
- Reduce risks associated with adverse effects of aging building materials.
- Reduce risks with visitor, patient, or staff accidents.
- Reduce risks of infection and spread of infection.
- Boost the quality of care services provided to patients.
- Boost the attractiveness of your facility for new patients.
- Boost the ability to retain and attract quality staff.
An Emerging Trend for Tech-Centric Healthcare Facilities
Another emerging trend for healthcare facility building projects involves technology. Partially solidified by the demands of telehealth during the pandemic, today’s private practices and healthcare facilities have to be infused with technological capabilities more than ever before. Physical infrastructures need to support layers of tech, including clinical care, omnichannel patient experiences (PX,) and digital communication. Today’s healthcare buildings are smarter, too. And those tech-based considerations have become pillars of every commercial construction or renovation discussion.
Accessibility and Flexible Designs Are Key
As you design your new health and wellness facility, you’ll want to prioritize accessibility. Every entry point needs to include ADA-approved access for all visitors and patients. And whatever designs you build out today still need to be flexible and adaptable enough for future patient care needs. So, consider building in flexible options for different layouts for your reception areas, waiting rooms, and clinical spaces. Your new space should also be conducive to current and future staff needs, technological advancements, and ever-changing healthcare-related dynamics.
Wayfinding Improvements
Some of the older, existing medical facilities are known to be tough to get around and navigate, especially for first-time visitors. After years of patients, staff, and guests wandering into unintended areas, today’s healthcare building committees are exploring wayfinding improvements. As you design your facility, be mindful of thoughtful hallways, well-lit corridors, wide-access walkways, and increased directional signage. Some of the more modern medical facilities are using color-coded walkways and creative artwork to help visitors find their way.
Increased Security Measures
Another key consideration you’ll want to address with your healthcare building project is security. You’ll want anyone walking through the doors to feel safe. But you’ll also need to make provisions to secure your facility against security breaches. With so much foot traffic as well as online engagements, there are increased risks with expensive equipment, available medications, and patient records. Construction teams and designers are exploring better ways to secure access to certain rooms and hallways. And there are special considerations for the smart installation of well-angled common area cameras and security mechanisms.
Commercial Construction with Privacy in Mind
Sure, you’ll have some degree of privacy to incorporate with any commercial construction building. Office buildings, religious facilities, and even retail spaces all require designs with privacy in mind. However, healthcare facilities are considering even more layers of privacy. Surveillance is crucial throughout your new space. But you’ll also need to design elements and aspects of those rooms, hallways, and spaces that preserve patient privacy. And privacy considerations aren’t just for patient rooms. There needs to be privacy in labs, reception areas, and nurses’ stations where conversations about patient care take place. Walls or dividers might be helpful in soundproofing certain spaces, too.
Adaptable Waiting Rooms and Common Areas
Depending on the healthcare services your new business intends to offer, you might have waiting rooms to design. Clinics, private practices, and other health facilities need ample seating space to accommodate the daily flow of patients. But you’ll also want to keep adaptable configurations in mind. Make sure your waiting areas are flexible enough to accommodate furniture rearrangement for guests with longer waits. Consider having the flexibility to transform quiet areas into overnight sleeping areas or overflow telemedicine rooms. And keep in mind the potential need to incorporate social distancing in these common areas, allowing for enough room and capacity.
Creating Welcoming and Aesthetically Pleasing Environments
Today’s modern commercial spaces are brilliantly designed and brimming with aesthetics and welcoming atmospheres. For a healthcare facility, the need for a calm, friendly, and welcoming space is even more important. Many of today’s newest projects will feature plenty of windows, introducing natural light. There are soft color combinations, smooth lines in the architecture, and open spaces for more relaxed environments. Modern aesthetics can give the impression that the professionals within those clinics and offices are also modern.
Medical Office Design Trends to Explore
With all the must-have considerations on your list, you can then start to explore some of the more cosmetic design trends for your medical facility building. These particular office and clinical design trends might be helpful as you draft your new spaces.
- Open floor plans
- Modular designs
- Biophilic designs
- Sustainable designs
- Centralized workspaces
Healthcare Capital Development with Jerdon Construction
As you embark on your journey to design and build your Lehigh Valley healthcare facility, you’re going to need to keep these considerations at the top of your mind. And you’ll want to work with a commercial construction partner who understands these emerging trends specific to your niche industry. Consider exploring your options with our team at Jerdon Construction. We can help you bring your new building project or renovation to life while incorporating all the necessary components of today’s leading healthcare facilities.
Connect with our team, and let’s discuss all the best amenities and designs for your commercial construction project!
