Linaea Floden Headshot credit: Ryan Companies
Healthcare facilities are evolving to meet the changing needs of patients and providers. From robotic surgical procedures to telehealth, flexibility in healthcare design is becoming crucial. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of adapting to changing procedures and treatment methods. Designing with intention and implementing adaptable solutions can better equip hospitals to respond to changing healthcare needs. Here are four design strategies to ensure future flexibility in healthcare environments:
Space Versatility
Maximize space usage and functionality within rooms with innovative solutions like modular furniture systems and mobile cart systems.
Shell Space
Ensure future growth by leaving space unfinished for multiple possibilities and potential uses.
Consolidation of Services
Streamline operations for efficiency and minimize non-revenue generating building areas by relocating functions to integrated service centers.
Engineering Upgrades
Create resilience in new designs by considering additional connection options for power, oxygen, medical gas, and other building engineering systems in patient care areas.
Highly adaptable and flexible healthcare facilities will soon become mainstream, anticipating a rise in requests for patient care spaces that can be converted into alternating uses to accommodate new functions and procedures.
Linaea Floden, director of architecture for the Southeast Region at Ryan Companies (Tampa, Fla.), can be reached at linaea.floden@ryancompanies.com.
