COVID-19: The Impact on Hospital Design

The new normal includes being able to modify existing facilities to quickly create isolation zones


As the nation’s hospitals approach a full year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, facility managers and other healthcare officials are taking stock of the lessons learned along the way and how those lessons will play out in the future. One of the most important issues is the way the pandemic is changing the design, construction and renovation of facilities in order to adapt to the new realities.

One major problem faced by many hospitals is a shortage of beds, according to Business World. Emergency rooms and ICUs were filled with patients, and the hotels and other spaces were forced to be converted into the COVID19 facilities. Hence, many experts are suggesting that future hospital designs should be made more flexible to accommodate more people in case a similar situation occurs in the future.

As the virus is spreading, it is obvious that the new normal calls for new approaches in hospital building, design and architecture, such as the need to modify existing facilities to quickly create isolation and contamination zones.

Additional innovations in the healthcare systems also are happening at a rapid rate. There have been portable digital clinics, which are protected with UV-C light disinfection. Also, doctors are meeting patients over video calls, and examinations are happening in a much shorter time with a barrier between the patient and the doctors and nurses.

Click here to read the article.



January 6, 2021


Topic Area: Architecture


Recent Posts

All Eyes on Gen Z as They Enter the Workforce

As the labor gap widens in the facilities industry, not many managers trust Gen Z to fill that hole.


Cleveland Clinic Starts Fundraising Effort for New Hospital in West Palm Beach

Plans for the new hospital include approximately 150 inpatient beds, an emergency department, a medical office building and an ambulatory surgery center.


Cultivating a Workforce in the Face of Skilled Trade Shortages

Facilities managers must make concerted efforts to attract skilled trade workers to their facilities and retain them long term.


Prime Healthcare Acquires 8 Ascension Hospitals in Illinois

They also acquired a number of other facilities in this acquisition.


Charging Ahead: Incentives Driving EV Charging in Healthcare Facilities

Manufacturers discuss how incentives impact the decision-making process.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.