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Archive for Health Care Facilities

Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 March 22, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Factors to Consider in Hospital Design and Construction

sxrayroomBecause hospitals provide a wide range of services and are made up of many functional units, they are the most complex of building types. Hospitals have diagnostic and treatment functions, such as clinical laboratories, imaging, emergency rooms, and surgery; hospitality functions, such as food service and housekeeping; and inpatient care or bed-related functions. Good hospital design integrates functional requirements with the human needs of its varied users. This need for diverse functions is reflected in the breadth and specificity of regulations, codes, and oversight that govern hospital construction and operations. Each of the wide-ranging and constantly evolving functions of a hospital, including highly complicated mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications systems, requires specialized knowledge and expertise.  Hospital design is also influenced by site restraints and opportunities, climate, surrounding facilities, budget, and available technology.  All hospitals should have certain common attributes, regardless of their location, size or budget.

 

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

An efficient hospital layout should promote staff efficiency by minimizing distance of necessary travel between frequently used spaces; allow visual supervision of patients; provide an efficient logistics system for supplies and food (and removal of waste); make efficient use of multi-purpose spaces and consolidate spaces when possible.

Flexibility and Expandability

Medical needs and modes of treatment will continue to change. Therefore, hospitals should follow modular concepts of space planning and layout; use generic room sizes and plans as much as possible; use modular, easily accessed, and easily modified mechanical and electrical systems; and be open-ended, with well-planned directions for future expansion.

Therapeutic Environment

Patients and visitors should perceive a hospital as unthreatening, comfortable, and stress-free. The interior designer plays a major role in this effort to create a therapeutic environment.  For example, this can be accomplished by using cheerful and varied colors and textures, by allowing ample natural light wherever feasible, by providing views of the outdoors from every patient bed, and by designing a “way-finding” process into every environment.

Cleanliness and Sanitation

Hospitals must be easy to clean and maintain. This is facilitated by appropriate, durable finishes for each functional space; careful detailing of such features as doorframes, casework, and finish transitions to avoid dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and joints; and adequate and appropriately located housekeeping spaces.

Accessibility

All areas, both inside and out, should comply with all standards and minimum requirements of Americans with Disability Act, and ensure grades are flat enough to allow easy movement and sidewalks and corridors are wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily.

Security and Safety

Hospitals have several particular security concerns, such as protection of patients and staff, hospital property and assets (including drugs), and also vulnerability to terrorism because of high visibility. Security and safety must be built into the design with these things in mind.

Sustainability

Hospitals are large public buildings that have a significant impact on the environment and economy of the surrounding community. They are heavy users of energy and water and produce large amounts of waste. Because of this, sustainable design must be considered when designing and building hospitals.

Philippi Quality Construction

With more than 20 years of experience as designers and builders in healthcare facilities, Philippi Quality Construction understands that expanding your current facility or building a new one is the most exciting yet challenging endeavor your organization will ever experience. A successful hospital design and building project requires careful planning. Philippi Quality Construction’s team approach to architecture and construction eliminates problems by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction, resulting in a smooth experience.  For more information about Philippi’s team approach to hospital building and design, go to www.manitowocconstruction.com.

 

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Health Care Facilities
Tags : hospital construction, hospital design
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 January 12, 2012
 · 0 Comments

The Philippi Quality Construction Advantage!

blueprintsExcellent results with Single Source

Dividing a construction project between architect and builder can cause problems. Why? Because the process and lines of responsibility can be ignored, increasing the possibility of costly items falling through the cracks and being missed. Philippi Quality Construction’s philosophy solves that problem by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction.

Design/Build means being the customer’s single point of contact is with the people who are dedicated to customer’s satisfaction. Philippi Quality Construction is committed to being that one source and will guarantee to keep everything on track, on time and on budget, which gives customers more time to plan for opportunities and possibilities.

Commitment to Satisfaction

With any construction company, the benchmark of success has to be its level of customer satisfaction. Philippi Quality Construction strives to keep their customers engaged with the workflow throughout the project. All clients are updated on the building’s progress, fully explaining each step, answering all questions, offering clear, understandable options and making sure your project stays on time and on budget. 

Guarantee

Every Philippi Quality Construction project comes with a 1-year guarantee of materials and craftsmanship for a specified period of time following the completion of the project. Philippi Quality Construction believes in standing behind the final product and that means working with the customer to resolve any issues to everyone’s satisfaction.

Philippi Quality Construction is located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and has more than twenty years experience as designers and builders in markets including healthcare, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational facilities.

For more information on the Philippi Construction Advantage, go to www.manitowocconstruction.com.

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Health Care Facilities, Residential
Tags : commercial construction, construction, residential construction
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 December 28, 2011
 · 0 Comments

Health Care Facilities – Considerations to Design and Construction

Before a construction company can begin the process of design, construction or renovation of any health care facilities, it is necessary to gather data regarding architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection requirements established by OSHA and other federal, state and local agencies. Collection of this data is critical because it can affect issuance of a certificate of occupancy and site considerations; planning and zoning requirements; fire safety ordinances; state and local codes; natural gas supplies; domestic and fire water requirements; electrical power; and sanitary sewer facilities.

Use a checklist to prevent the possibility of overlooking essential zoning and code requirements, which could delay the construction or renovation project.  Be sure the checklist assigns key individuals who serve as technical sources throughout the project, such as the fire marshal, inspectors (city/state/local), zoning authorities, utility company officials, health care facility officials, etc.  These key assigned individuals will establish clear lines of communication with the authority having jurisdiction and can prevent misunderstandings and delays on the project with the design/construction company.

When seeking approval for new construction or renovation of existing health care facilities, it is recommended that your proposal and design plan consider the following important factors:

1.  The scope and purpose of the proposed construction project;

2.  The services necessary for the complete operation of the health facility, including:

  • The size and function of each space,
  • Any special design features,
  • The projected occupant load, and
  • Numbers and types of staff, patients, residents, visitors and vendors;

3. The types and projected numbers of procedures to be performed in each treatment area and circulation patterns for staff, patients or residents, and the public;

4. The projected demand or utilization, staffing patterns, departmental relationships, space requirements, and circulation patterns that are a function of infection control requirements and for clean and soiled materials;

5. Equipment requirements, including building service equipment and fixed and moveable equipment; and

6. Potential future expansion that may be needed to accommodate increased demand.

Use of dust-control procedures and barriers during construction, repair, renovation, or demolition is essential to protect other parts of health care facilities. Whenever possible, avoid inactivating or shutting down the entire HVAC system, especially in acute-care facilities. If feasible, design and install fixed backup ventilation systems for new or renovated construction of operating rooms, laboratories other critical-care areas.

During the construction or renovation, establish a multidisciplinary team that includes infection-control staff to coordinate demolition, construction, and renovation projects and consider proactive preventive measures at the inception. This team should educate both the construction team and health-care staff in immune compromised patient-care areas regarding the airborne infection risks associated with construction projects, dispersal of fungal spores during such activities, and methods to control the dissemination of fungal spores. Incorporate mandatory adherence agreements for infection control into construction contracts, with penalties for noncompliance and mechanisms to ensure timely correction of problems. This team should also establish and maintain surveillance for airborne environmental disease as appropriate during construction, renovation, repair, and demolition activities to ensure the health and safety of immune compromised patients.

The construction company should implement dust-control measures on surfaces and divert pedestrian traffic away from work zones. Relocate patients whose rooms are adjacent to work zones, depending on their immune status, the scope of the project, the potential for generation of dust or water aerosols. Provide construction crews with designated entrances, corridors, and elevators wherever practical; essential services (e.g., toilet facilities) and convenience services (e.g., vending machines); protective clothing (e.g., coveralls, footgear, and headgear) for travel to patient-care areas; and a space or anteroom for changing clothing and storing equipment.

The above guidelines are just a sample of things to consider when approaching  renovation, construction or demolition of health care facilities. Be sure to research all applicable OSHA codes and local and state regulations regarding full requirements for health care facility construction, renovation or demolition.

 

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Categories : Construction, Health Care Facilities
Tags : health care construction, OSHA

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