Compliance is a critical concern in every aspect of the healthcare industry, particularly in the maintenance of facilities. When accrediting organizations, like The Joint Commission, arrive onsite for surveys, they examine everything and anything that impacts patient care, and that includes facilities-related elements such as cleanliness, clearly marked and accessible exits, the facility's ability to minimize the effects of smoke and heat, safety equipment maintenance and so much more.

Mergers and acquisitions have become a prevalent strategic move in the healthcare industry, impacting the landscape of healthcare facilities in various ways. In this blog, we will explore the implications and effects of mergers and acquisitions on healthcare facilities, shedding light on the potential benefits and challenges faced by industry stakeholders. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in comprehending the constantly evolving nature of healthcare delivery and its impact on patient care.

Facility managers in the healthcare sector are tasked with a myriad of constraints—from aging infrastructure to staying compliant amidst constant changes to health and safety regulations to shrinking budgets. Therefore, it is critical to know how every building, physical asset, and system in your care is performing and where there are opportunities for facility optimization.

Now more than ever, patients have become more like consumers and medical purchasing power has shifted from providers and insurers to individuals. This change has created a unique marketplace for healthcare services, emphasizing patient care and the physical environment's role in patient perception of the quality of care offered.

The face of healthcare facilities has shifted massively in the 21st century, with even greater changes happening in recent years. Major trends are transforming how healthcare organizations deliver patient care and manage facilities. As the healthcare industry shifts toward value-based population health, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continue to accelerate, creating mega-sized, nontraditional health systems. Meanwhile, the industry continues to grapple with rigid compliance regulations and increasing costs.

Climate change has become one of the greatest concerns of our time, especially for those who manage hospitals and healthcare physical assets and infrastructure. Designing buildings that are truly sustainable and resilient means considering the potential side effects of climate change.