Example Of Essay On Sustainable Building Practices

Introduction

Healthcare facilities play a great role in determining treatments efficiency. In addition, the changing medical needs means that the future needs may differ from the current ones. In that respect, there is need to consider possible future needs in planning for the facilities buildings. (Rodarti, 2005) In that view, this discussion explains how strategic planning approach for the facilities can work successfully in addressing the future needs.

Analysis

Strategic planning is crucial in any project management. That is because it entails consideration of the key steps and processes that needs to be followed as a means of ensuring its success. In that respect, the planning is a crucial process of identifying possible future needs and taking suitable measures that address the issues. Such issues include possible changes in medical procedures and technological advance as well as patients’ needs that will need to be incorporated into facilities systems. (Reeve, 2001) That has been applied in the completion of various healthcare facilities.
There are four stages in strategic planning for healthcare facilities. The stages include the situation analysis that entails review of the mission and philosophy, as well as an internal assessment of distinctive characteristics in addition to external assessments of market structures. The second stage entails establishing the strategic direction in view of future vision, mission, and strategies. The approach also entails strategy formulation that involves establishing goals that relate to the facility’s critical issues. Finally, there is action planning that entails identification of the necessary actions for implementation such as resources, schedule, and priorities. (Hayward, 2006)
In that view, strategic planning is crucial in addressing future needs as it helps identify the need for new services and programs that may require more space or facilities. It also helps in identification of patients’ accommodation. The planning is also crucial in identifying future workload projections with a breakdown for out and inpatients. (Hayward, 2006)
Example is application in development of the University of Texas’ Health Science Center, School of Nursing and Student Community Center. The project began by defining and creating the landscape as well as the building that would later integrate programs, building purpose as well as academics. The building’s planning also entailed considerations for design flexibility as well as resources efficiency. The planning also considered other aspects that would define the future needs such as material life cycle. Further, the planning sought to advance future approach by health care professionals by designing it in a manner that promoted communication and collaboration among faculty and students. (Guenther & Vittori, 2008)
In the development, David R. Obey Health Sciences Center, Northcentral Technical College Wausau, Wisconsin project planning entailed earlier development of success measures, and that was used in informing decisions throughout the project. A good example of consideration was the earlier preference for enclosed offices by staff members that later changed to preference for open offices that would improve communication and enhance spatial efficiency. (Guenther & Vittori, 2008)

Conclusion

In view of the analysis, the increasing change in models of care and other emerging g healthcare needs increase the probability that facilities that are designed today may have to change their use in the future. Thus, there is a need for flexible designs that are achievable through strategic planning covering various aspects such as materials used and layout. That requires consideration and prediction of changes in drugs development, devices and therapies as well as the level of investments planned for healthcare by the private sector and the government.

References

Guenther, R. & Vittori, G. (2008). Sustainable Healthcare Architecture. New Jersey: Wiley.
Hayward, C. (2006). Healthcare Facility Planning: Thinking Strategically. ACHE
Management Series. Chicago: Health Administration Press.
Reeve, J. (2001). Strategic facility planning improves capital decision-making. Healthcare
Financial Management. 35-38.
Rodarti, J. (2005). Common mistakes in project planning. The Construction Specifies.
58(10), 16-17.