Four Creative Solutions From Other Industries To Be Utilized In Healthcare Design

Across various industries architects and designers are adapting their designs to accommodate new needs like additional space or include durable materials ideal for increased cleaning.

These new fundamental needs have inspired designers to seek innovative solutions that help the peace of mind for those accompanying the space. Learn from these four industry applications and how they can be utilized in healthcare design.

1. Cleanable Sound Barriers

As social distancing barriers come in many forms are being implemented in corporate offices, it can be replicated in healthcare design as well. The commonly seen plastic barrier divider or fabric curtain may allow for easy cleaning but does not have great acoustical properties. The best of both worlds come in the form of a fully encapsulated panel that absorbs high levels of sound are ideal. For hygienic wall panels or acoustical ceiling tiles, check out Saint-Gobain Ecophon Hygiene™ that is great for absorbing sound with the ability to sterilize too. They are even bleach-cleanable and have proven reliable to aid a turn over a patient room with optimal clean. An excellent option for healthcare to control sound beautifully with an ease of cleaning.

2. Freshness From Wall To Wall

Many international hotel brands have amplified their cleaning protocol and are finding new ways to comfort guests outside of their homes. With every surface material being disinfected frequently, it’s important to source materials that do not breakdown with excessive cleanings. An area that may have been overlook in the past are the walls in hotel rooms, lobbies and hallways. Select a highly durable wall solution like DuPont™ Tedlar™ Wallcoverings is an excellent solution. Tedlar™ Wallcoverings are mold and mildew resistant and can withstand even the harshest chemicals without cracking the surface.

3. Fade-Resistant Exteriors

With project budgets tightening, the need to keep designs timeless with a contemporary feel is increasingly important. A fade resistant exterior using an architectural fabric that is long lasting helps with less frequent renovations in the future. From Napa Valley wineries to East coast universities, Shelter-Rite® by Seaman has created structures that protect people and their facilities for decades. Reimagine elements of healthcare facilities, such as a sparkling white tent entrance to a medical center or a trendy tensile fabric stretched overhead in an outdoor hospital corridor or café. The UV-fade protected colors allow designers to match the exterior of the buildings or tie the interior shades to the outside

4. Disinfecting Every Surface, Even Mile High

Just like hotels, the airplane industry is coming up with new ways to comfort travelers with increased cleaning after every flight. Major airlines are making headlines with the new cleaning chemicals being adopted to combat the COVID-19 virus. Yet what may come as a surprise to many frequent flyers, is that the cabin surfaces are protected with a superior film that slows the growth of bacteria. From the sidewalls to the bulkhead partition, these areas are covered by Tedlar® PVC films. The thermoform capabilities of Tedlar® are ideal to the many curves and bends on the airplane interiors. This same film can be applied to the case goods in medical facilities, or the flooring of the hospital.

 

Source: healthcare design

 

 

 

Denver’s Medical Office Market Shows Signs Of Resiliency In First Half of 2020

While the MOB market did soften as expected following the onset of COVID-19, strong preleasing is cause for optimism.

According to CBRE’s biannual report on the Denver medical office building market, which covers the first half of 2020, three projects totaling 124,000 square feet were delivered in the first half of the year, with 88.8 percent of the new supply pre leased. At the close of the second quarter, over 344,000 square feet of new MOB space was under construction. One was the 89,000-square-foot MOB at 100 Cook Street in Cherry Creek, which was 100 percent leased to UCHealth upon delivery.

“Healthcare consumers increasingly expect greater accessibility and a better experience when seeking out medical care. In response, healthcare providers continue to develop locations that are easier for patients to access. Outpatient visits to medical office buildings show no signs of slowing down and, due to this growth, MOBs continue to be the most popular property type within the healthcare real estate sector. With fundamentals that are more cycle-resistant than other more traditional property sectors, both tenants and investors are drawn to the consistent stability and positive income growth of MOBs,” said Stephani Gaskins, associate, CBRE.

The largest on-campus project under construction is the 96,600-square-foot St. Joseph Medical Office Pavilion, expected to deliver in fall 2020, which recently pre-leased 8,699 square feet of space to Children’s Medical Center. Another notable build is the Synergy Medical Center, which will bring 90,000 square feet of MOB space to the Southeast submarket in early 2021.

Since the beginning of the year, three MOB properties traded hands for a total volume of $52.0 million with an average price per sq. ft. of $241.80. The largest sale in the first half of 2020 was Ridgeline Medical Campus, which traded for $33.5 million ($244.54 per sq. ft.) to Healthcare Realty Trust.

 

Source: Mile High CRE

 

North Texas Walmarts Are Launching Oak Street Health Clinics

Chicago-based Oak Street Health announced its arrival in North Texas earlier this year, and now the value-based network is partnering with the world’s largest corporation. Walmart will be launching Oak Street Health in three of its supercenters in Dallas-Fort Worth this year.

Walmart Supercenters in Arlington, Benbrook, and Carrollton will soon transition their Walmart Care Clinics to Oak Street Health centers.

“As we grow Walmart Health locations in other markets, we think Oak Street Health’s innovative value-based healthcare model will help us continue to deliver on our live better promise at these locations,” said said Marcus Osborne, senior vice president of Walmart Health via release.

A rendering of the Benbrook Walmart with Oak Street Health clinic (IMAGE CREDIT: Oak Street Health)

The clinics will offer comprehensive and preventative primary care and urgent care services. Extended hours for walk-ins and same day appointments are part of the plans as well. All patients are welcome to the clinic, but Oak Street says its focus is on the Medicare population. There are 60 Oak Street locations around the country and the clinics’ patients have experienced a 41 percent reduction in hospital visits and a 49 percent reduction in emergency room visits compared to Medicare benchmarks.

“It is our mission at Oak Street Health to rebuild healthcare as it should be, and that aligns directly with Walmart’s history of providing accessible and equitable health care in communities across the country,” said Mike Pykosz, CEO of Oak Street Health via release. “We look forward to becoming a positive addition to the neighborhood in these new markets and providing an unmatched healthcare experience in a convenient location.”

 

Source: D CEO Healthcare Magazine