Designing Safer and More Efficient Medical Office Buildings
The medical industry is perhaps the most important sector to focus on due to the recent pandemic. Patient demands continue to rise, and experts are discovering more about the virus. Aside from battling an invisible enemy that has plagued the world for almost two years now, healthcare professionals still have to provide care to a staggering number of people with other health concerns.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect many aspects of our lives, patients have to feel that any medical facility they visit is able to provide a safe and low-risk healthcare experience. Moreover, healthcare workers also need to feel protected against this highly contagious illness. Because of this, it’s crucial to transform medical facilities in a way that maximizes safety and provides patients and staff with some peace of mind.
Empathy: The Key to Thoughtful Design
Now more than ever, medical office buildings need designs that promote a healthy and comforting environment for patients and healthcare workers alike. Planning for such drastic transformations can be challenging, but it’s necessary to ensure that staff can still provide the best quality of care while they stay safe from infections. One key aspect to proper planning would be to exercise a core human ability: empathy.
Empathy is the ability to share the lived experience of another person—to walk in their shoes, so to speak. It’s vital to exercise this when planning designs because it provides decision-makers with a new perspective. It allows for a more human-centred approach that puts the needs of patients and staff first.
Medical building contractors, architects, planners, managers, and administrators all have to work together and provide the most empathetic approach to the facility’s new design. They have to listen to stakeholders, staff, and patients to get a clear picture of what the people need. In doing so, they can draft more thoughtful, efficient, safe, and ergonomic blueprints.
Ensuring Safety through Redesigning Vital Touchpoints
Areas with high traffic will need complete overhauls to ensure that patients and healthcare workers stay safe. Waiting areas are an excellent example of key touchpoints in the facility. They’re often small, enclosed, and cramped, which can make any patient anxious just by staying there for several minutes.
Experienced medical building contractors must find creative ways to use the property to reinforce social distancing, such as expanding waiting rooms to accommodate for distanced seating arrangements. Some facilities may let go of waiting rooms altogether and allow patients to wait inside exam rooms. However, staff will still need to have a clear view of the individuals, so striking a balance between distance and visibility is crucial.
Offices need modifications in entrances, exits, and hallways to ease flow and prevent cross-contamination. Other safety measures that medical facilities can benefit from are hand washing stations, self-service kiosks, and curbside services. HVAC systems also need consideration, as airborne contaminants are always a concern in medical facilities.
Contact Reliable Medical Building Contractors
During disruptive times like in the current pandemic, medical facilities must also adapt to the changing needs of patients and healthcare workers. There need to be thoughtful and functional design upgrades to cater to shifting demands and provide the highest level of care. By hiring experienced contractors, healthcare companies can better improve their properties and prepare them for the future.
If you’re looking for medical building contractors in Mississauga, Masterstrux has you covered. Our team of professionals will provide you with the best design and construction solutions that will dramatically improve your facility. Work with the experts—contact us today!