With complex and interdependent projects, such as the implementation of new technologies, the construction of medical infrastructure or the development of health programs, efficient and organized management is crucial to ensure project success and improve the quality of services. It is a structured approach that allows you to plan, organize, coordinate and control all stages of a project. Whether for the implementation of a new computerized system or for the construction of a new establishment, project management is essential to guarantee the successful completion of initiatives on time and on budget.

A project in the healthcare sector begins with structuring and establishing the right financing model, such as a PPP. We know that to make the most of available funds, the project must be optimized, which means allocating exactly the right square footage to inpatient units, operating rooms, diagnostic rooms, public spaces and other facilities to ensure the most efficient operation possible. Rigorous financial control of the project during all phases of planning until commissioning must be put in place to ensure budgets are respected.

Quality control is also an important component of project management, where all possibilities for optimizing resources are examined from the start of a project. This involves ensuring that the architectural and technical design matches the budgetary and functional objectives of the project. Hence the importance of close collaboration with the entire project team in order to meet the required quality standards.

As soon as the master plan is developed, the technologies and allocated budgets, which encompass all the functional objectives of the health establishment, must be defined in order to optimize the operation of the new building.

Image credit © by Getty Image, Empty hospital intensive care unit.

Technical installations are crucial for the optimal functioning of healthcare facilities and represent approximately 40% of the construction costs of a typical building. In addition to the technical installations necessary for daily operation, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water and sanitation, lighting and electricity, healthcare facilities also require specialized installations, such as distribution gas and humidity and infection control. It is also necessary to ensure the best interior atmosphere to maximize the comfort of patients and staff.

Technologies influence the design of all parts of a healthcare facility. For example, systems used for care and entertainment may dictate the shape and dimensions of rooms; the size and number of robotic pharmaceutical systems may impact the layout and width of corridors, as well as the design of traffic routes; Sometimes it is also necessary to provide space for data and communications centers, as well as adequate air conditioning to keep equipment at optimal operating temperature.

In the digital age, healthcare organizations depend on technology. All new projects, as well as renovations and management of brownfield sites, face the same challenges. As new systems are introduced, whether patient care, administration or building management, there is a risk, due to a lack of planning and integration, that these make the task of health personnel heavier instead of making it easier. The technology must achieve two key objectives: increasing the time healthcare providers spend with their patients and making the operation of the health center economically viable.

Resilience is another key issue in the health sector. There can be no interruption when lives depend on the continued operation of essential systems. A backup power system that ensures one part of the building can support the other as needed, and a rotating uninterruptible power system that supplies the center with essential power in the first moments of an outage current, while starting the diesel generator. Healthcare facility owners and operators must determine the appropriate level of resiliency given each building’s unique circumstances.

Image credit © by Getty Image, Doctors assisting patients at the hospital.

Lighting influences all aspects of the human experience and, if used effectively in healthcare settings, can improve the patient experience and play a role in their recovery. Studies have shown that a well-designed lighting system can help reduce medical errors and patient falls, pain, stress, depression and length of stay, while improving patient satisfaction. the patients. A well-designed atmosphere in hospital wards, corridors and other areas of the hospital can also result in better working conditions for staff members, thereby increasing their efficiency and satisfaction. There are high-quality, complex lighting solutions to support a wide range of tasks performed in many types of spaces, from operating rooms to nursing stations to hospital wards. and public spaces.

Given the increasing incidence of MRSA infections in hospitals, the application of the highest hygiene standards is required. Prevention and control must be integrated into land use planning and operational procedures.

Also, waste management must be adequately taken into account from the design stage. The design must take into account the specific activities that will take place in different parts of the facility, from wards to operating rooms to high-tech diagnostic equipment, to facilitate the implementation of appropriate methods of storage, treatment and disposal of waste. It is particularly important to separate hazardous waste from other types of waste and isolate it, in order to counter the risk of injury or the spread of infectious agents.

Image credit © by Getty Image, Medical team walking through hospital corridor.

Planning and cost control are important challenges in healthcare project management. Health projects often have limited budgets and specific funding requirements. Project management must therefore include rigorous planning of financial resources and constant monitoring of costs to avoid budget overruns.

Healthcare projects can face unpredictable risks and contingencies. Technical issues, regulatory changes or unexpected events can potentially delay or compromise the success of a project. Project management should include risk assessment and strategies to mitigate those risks and deal with unforeseen events that may arise.

The agile approach is increasingly used in healthcare project management. This method emphasizes flexibility, collaboration and adaptation to changes. In a complex environment like healthcare, where needs and requirements evolve rapidly, the agile approach allows plans and actions to be adjusted according to new challenges and new information.