panelists: Aaron Ostrovsky, Sean Hutchinson, and Ruth Harris.
New York, NY On April 24th, Professional Women in Construction (NY) held its annual Healthcare Construction Forum at The Manhattan Club. The morning consisted of networking reception followed by two engaging, informative panel discussions with industry leaders.
The overall theme of the day was how to incorporate operational performance, data collection, and the culture of the hospital in the design process for optimal efficiency.
First Panel - Innovation: Technology in Healthcare
• Moderator: Jenny Freeman, senior vice president, Hunter Roberts Construction Group.
• Panel: Ruth Harris, senior director, solutions department – Enterprise Project Management Office, NYU Langone Health; Sean Hutchinson, national director of business development, Siemens; and Aaron Ostrovsky, clinical systems manager, information security liaison, division of health informatics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The panelists emphasized measurability, real-time updates and using data to understand specific problems and challenges, all while informing the best possible improvements and investments. There is a significant amount of technology available, and the panelists discussed the importance of making sure the technology accomplishes the goals of the staff, that it solves everyday problems, and that it is determined through collaboration with end users.
Elsie Low, Elena Danilova, Debra Berger.
The only way for information to be useful and actionable is by having proper analytics and clarity. “A smart command and control center provides that single-pane of glass to help organize and use data to ‘tune’ rooms based on certain key information describing patients,” Hutchinson said.
A successful implementation takes into consideration the perspective of and benefits to all of those who interact with the technology at project completion and ongoing long after occupancy.
Second Panel - The Path of the Healthcare Project: From Physician to Patient
• Moderator: Jocelyn Stroupe, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, ASID, principal, co-director, health interiors, Healthcare Interiors, Cannon Design.
• Panelists: Debra Berger, senior campus transformation, NYU Langone Health; Elena Danilova, director, capital projects, Northwell Health; and Elsie Low, senior director, department of design + construction, Montefiore Medical Center.
The panel compared challenges, many of which were similar across projects. They discussed what happens after the contractor leaves, explaining how quickly things can be worn out, and suggest post-construction follow ups to identify and learn how to best avoid wear and tear based on how the end-uses occupies the space.
They also discussed the value of collaborative effort in the construction process between the contractor, designer, and subcontractors to mitigate the back and forth, and allow the project to move forward as seamlessly as possible. They also stressed the importance of incorporating staff into the technology and design process to make sure it performs in line with how they work. In one case, a hospital used augmented reality in an existing room with a surgeon to support efforts in correcting the equipment positioning to meet staff requirements and expectations during operations.
Another major issue that was identified is the improper use of new technology by staff. One example given was that nurses are constantly being introduced to new systems while under pressure to perform. They may bypass time-saving technology in the interest of completing their work in the way they are accustomed to. It is therefore essential to not only implement new technology but also follow through with staff training to ensure and maximize its benefit.
The consensus of the morning was that a successful healthcare project will take a 360 view of the facility, from patient performance and experience, to staff satisfaction, to cost-saving innovations.
The event was co-chaired by: Jenny Freeman, senior vice president, Hunter Roberts Construction Group; and Suzen Heeley, executive director, design+construction, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The event was sponsored by: E-J Electric Installation Co., HOK, LF Driscoll Healthcare, Northwell Health, Steelcase, STV, and Syska Hennessy Group.
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