By Healthcare Facilities Today

In its Take Five series, Healthcare Design magazine asks leading healthcare design professionals, firms, and owners to tell us what’s got their attention and share some ideas on the subject.

recently, the magazine spoke to Bob McCleskey, CEO of Sellen Construction in Seattle about construction trends in healthcare, how innovative techniques can help keep costs down, and what to expect in the future. McCleskey's five observation were:

1. Prefab is not going away

It’s not only faster to build this way, but it’s also safer, less expensive, and results in a higher quality.

2. Outpatient facilities are HOT

Before the Affordable Care Act emphasized preventive care, there was a decline of hospitals and the rise of outpatient facilities. outcomes, this trend will likely accelerate.

3. New big hospitals are not

Hospitals will add facilities, build new wings, redevelop operating rooms, but trends suggest that big new hospital projects with new beds will be rare.

4. Tilt-up construction is not just for warehouses

Some medical office building projects are using tilt-up construction, which involves pouring concrete panels on slabs and then using a crane to hoist them vertically to become the walls of the building. 

5. It's all about efficiency

Healthcare reform is focused on rewarding outcomes, not procedures.

Read the article.