By Healthcare Facilities Today

In 2013, many anticipated that it would be a transformational year as healthcare organizations evolved to confront the challenges of a changing marketplace, according to a report on the CBRE Healthcare Services Knowledge Center website.

As the year draws to a close, despite the lack of clarity regarding many elements of healthcare reform, there are several trends that will likely continue to drive transition within the healthcare industry, the report said. 

Healthcare providers will be challenged to provide higher quality care to an expanded patient base at a significantly lower overall cost. According to the report, to achieve these objectives and thrive in the marketplace of the future, many healthcare organizations will be required to transition and transform their portfolio of real estate assets, as well as how those assets are planned, financed, constructed and managed.

While the physical environment of care continues to shift, the organizational structure of healthcare providers must keep pace as well, according to the report. The hospital-based model hasgiven way to a hub and spoke network of care in most markets, where outpatient centers provide convenient and accessible care to patients and refer volumes to affiliated inpatient facilities.

Read the report.