By Erik Gronneberg, Contributing Writer

The use of drone technology in construction is rapidly transforming the industry, offering unprecedented efficiencies and cost savings. But for healthcare facilities managers responsible for complex hospital construction projects, the idea of incorporating drones can raise legitimate concerns. 

By exploring these hesitations and addressing them, managers can avoid problems and realize the substantial benefits drones can provide throughout the construction lifecycle. 

Seeking approval 

Healthcare facilities have a multitude of concerns when it comes to flying a drone around their buildings. One of the biggest is maintaining patient privacy and safety while ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. A critical part of this is data privacy — ensuring that no unauthorized images or footage compromise patient confidentiality. 

Additionally, hospitals are often located in dense urban areas with restricted airspace, requiring strict adherence to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Many healthcare facilities also maintain active heliports for emergency medical transport, adding a layer of complexity to drone operations. Drone pilots working in these environments must demonstrate their competence and ability to navigate these challenges safely and legally. 

To address these concerns, managers need to develop a structured approach. First, they must obtain proper authorization from the FAA, especially if the facility is in restricted airspace. This process requires the drone pilot to apply for the necessary waivers and approvals. 

Once an airspace authorization request is submitted to the FAA, it can take a few days to a few weeks to receive approval. This approval time is directly related to the class of airspace in which the hospital is located. These applications to fly in restricted airspace generally require a detailed safety plan that outlines flight paths, maximum drone altitude, nearby restricted airspace, such as sports arenas, and procedures for emergency response. It is essential that the potential drone pilot has a firm grasp of the airspace application process and have proven experience in getting these approvals from the FAA. 

Privacy provisions  

Patient privacy is another primary concern. To mitigate these risks, drone pilots should implement strict image-capture protocols. One effective method is to provide a live video feed to hospital representatives who can monitor the footage in real time to ensure no patient information is inadvertently recorded. 

Related: Drones Take Flight for Facility Inspections

If necessary, camera angles and zoom capabilities can be adjusted to focus solely on the building’s exterior, preventing breaches of privacy. Original images and footage also should be turned over to the hospital at the completion of the project, with remaining copies securely deleted. 

Safety measures also extend to people on the ground. Drones are not permitted to fly directly over individuals, so coordinating with hospital security and local authorities is essential. Temporary sidewalk closures or restricted zones might be required to comply with FAA regulations. 

Clear communication with hospital staff is equally important. It is essential that security teams are notified before drone operations to prevent confusion or unintended security responses. In some cases, notifying doctors and nurses might be a good idea so patients who notice a drone can be reassured. 

Avoiding conflict  

Managers of hospitals with active heliports need to establish a well-defined protocol. The drone pilot must engage directly with the heliport entity to submit a detailed plan of when and where the drone will operate. The pilot should use a dedicated visual observer (VO) who can act as a liaison with heliport air traffic control to provide real-time updates to the drone pilot and ensure safe operations. If an incoming medical helicopter is detected, the VO can immediately instruct the drone pilot to land, avoiding interference with emergency operations. 

By implementing these best practices, managers can ensure safe and efficient drone inspections that offer significant advantages over traditional inspection methods. A typical manual façade inspection often requires workers on swing staging, which can be costly, time-consuming and intrusive to hospital operations. In contrast, drones can complete the same inspection in a fraction of the time, at a reduced cost and with minimal disruption to staff and patients. 

With proper planning, adherence to regulations and transparent communication with hospital administration, drones can be a valuable tool for healthcare facility managers overseeing construction renovations and inspections. By addressing common concerns head on and demonstrating a commitment to safety and compliance, experienced drone pilots can help hospitals leverage this technology to improve efficiency and reduce costs while ensuring the facility maintains the highest standards of patient care and privacy. 

Erik Gronneberg is a reality capture manager for Columbia, a construction management firm. He is a licensed Part 107 drone operator and a Level 1 unmanned aerial vehicle thermographer.