Obamacare, an aging population and the economy are just a few of the factors impacting new construction projects in the healthcare industry. Brian Albers is the Director of Business Development for MedBuild, ModSpace’s dedicated healthcare division. We recently sat down with Brian to get his perspective on where healthcare construction is headed.
Q: Healthcare reform has brought about significant change. How has that change affected the need for new medical space?
A: It’s accelerated the move toward more cost-effective acute care facilities as a means to maintain profitability. We’re seeing fewer new hospitals and hospital expansions. Instead, providers are focusing on capturing new patients through more conveniently located facilities.
The hospital remains the core, fed by patients that are initially engaged through acute care facilities, like urgent cares and outpatient surgery centers. And employers are establishing occupational health clinics to maximize preventive care as a way to reduce their insurance costs.
Q: What special challenges do your healthcare customers face when expanding?
A: Speed. Opening new locations quickly is the key to expanding services. And it needs to be done with minimal capital investment. Those are the critical elements required to capture market share and generate sufficient return on investment.
Q: How does modular solve that need?
A: Modular delivers affordability and speed. It uses simultaneous site development and offsite construction to cut construction schedules in half. And the repeatable design of modular buildings reduces architectural costs and considerations.
Q: Are there segments within healthcare that are better suited for modular?
A: Free-standing buildings and expansions to existing facilities are most common. Whether it’s expanding services at a hospital to include an imaging suite or a wound care center, or adding a network of urgent care or outpatient surgery centers, modular construction is a fast and affordable choice.
Q: Why else would a health care provider choose modular over traditional construction?
A: Quality and flexibly are big factors. In-factory construction is subject to extensive quality controls, and it eliminates delays from the weather. And the ability to relocate a building as market conditions change helps to preserve an owner’s capital investment far into the future.
Where do you think healthcare construction is headed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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