Hospital Construction Projects

This is an interesting article about strategies for ensuring that hospital construction projects meet staff and patient needs.

Hill R. Hospital construction 101: blueprints for success. Nursing Management 2005 Mar; 36(3):46-51.

Hill suggests that when institutions are doing remodeling or construction nurse leaders:

• form design teams composed of frontline staff and managers,
• continually survey staff and community members about the changes,
• help monitor adherence to staff suggestions.

Front line staff have much to offer because of their first hand knowledge of the way things work, and how to make it better. Nurse leaders can invite community members, patients, and families to give input into the design -- reaching out in this way will keep the team in tune with changing demographics in the patient population and will ensure that the design serves patients’ current and future needs.

Weekly walk-thrus help to ensure that the construction is actually in line with the plans. Caregivers can help here, they can spot problems like incorrect power outlet placements. AS contstruction draws to a close Hill suggests making a list of each item to be moved, the date of completion, and the person responsible, and posting the list in “countdown style” in a prominent place.

Happy New Workspace!