Life as we know it has seen some major changes since the Covid-19 outbreak. The healthcare industry, having been hit the hardest, had to adapt fast to this new way of life.
So, several new construction trends are on the rise – making it safer and more convenient for healthcare workers and patients.
Below, we take a look at some of the top 6 trends in healthcare facility construction and how they benefit the industry.
6 Construction Trends for Healthcare Facilities
Stay up to date and ahead of the game with these 6 rising construction trends in healthcare facilities.
Adaptable Rooms
Many healthcare facilities have realized the importance of versatile space. In other words, having a room that serves more than one purpose. This ensures increased comfort for patients as they no longer need to move long distances from their rooms to operating theaters.
But, it also helps in a time of medical crisis or emergency to have rooms that can function both as an inpatient room and operating room. For example, in the case of a huge pile-up on the freeway, a pandemic, or a fire in a large building. These are all instances where you can expect the admission of a large number of people at once.
Smart Lighting
Many hospitals seem to be doing away with clinical white lights. Now, more and more construction companies use softer and indirect lighting to increase patient comfort.
Some health care facilities have even opted for dimmable lighting with several light sources. This allows patients to control the lighting in their rooms. The dimmable lighting option means that patients who may want to sleep while their visitor reads or keeps themselves busy can do so without the harsh light.
Further, there is an increase in the use of UV lights to maintain and monitor the cleanliness of surfaces and furniture. UV light kills bacteria, which helps to decrease the spread of any harmful bugs.
Multiple Private Waiting Areas
An important lesson learned by all during the pandemic is how social distancing can stop the spread of illness. So, it’s a no-brainer that health facilities have now started incorporating multiple private waiting areas.
Not only does this give patients and their family members a bit of privacy to help ease anxiety, but it also ensures comfort when the wait is longer than anticipated.
Plus, having separate rooms helps to ensure that patients with already compromised immune systems aren’t at risk of catching anything else from the other patients.
Healthcare facilities are also providing comfort and convenience within these spaces. For example, fitting the rooms with spacious seating and several power points for charging devices.
Smart Building Materials
On top of the energy-efficient lighting and other changes to make hospitals more sustainable, smart building materials are also available.
As a result, healthcare facility trends are moving away from the gray plastic finishes and moving toward more natural ones. For example, using bamboo for surfaces and flooring and copper for door handles. Not only does this create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere, but it is also significantly better for the environment.
Plus, few may know that copper has natural antibacterial properties. As such, it is a great material for door handles in a healthcare environment to help minimize the spread of germs.
Micro-Hospitals
Access to adequate healthcare has become more important than ever since the pandemic. That’s why many healthcare facilities are using the benefits of prefabrication and modular construction to create micro-hospitals in rural areas.
During the pandemic, many healthcare facilities established micro-hospitals outside the main hospital buildings to test and monitor Covid-19 patients.
Micro hospitals are small in-patient facilities that can fit between 8 to 15 beds. Patients are admitted to micro-hospitals and observed for a short period of time.
These buildings are manufactured offsite in controlled environments and then transported to the required area. This is a cost-effective solution that can be transported and used again in another area, thereby, minimizing waste.
Increased Automation
A major trend in healthcare construction is the increase in automation. Healthcare facilities are drastically trying to get rid of the number of surface areas that require a human touch.
For example, door handles, faucets, and sanitizing machines are now automated making it easier for people to use and curb the spread of bacteria.
Further, an automated door system can assist healthcare facilities with controlling access. In other words, patients and certain staff would require access tags to enter certain areas of the hospital. This goes a long way in minimizing unnecessary traffic in emergency areas.
Conclusion
Prevention is always better than cure. So, it’s best to incorporate these very useful construction trends if your healthcare facility is about to launch on an upgrade. That way, you can ensure a safer and more comfortable environment for all!