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7 Possible Challenges of Hospital Expansion Projects

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They say it costs to provide health treatment and support to the community. Without any doubt, healthcare business stakeholders and owners can attest to this. Since healthcare businesses are essential and always in demand, their stakeholders aim to provide better services that meet the ever-changing needs of patients. 

One of the reasons medical facilities undergo hospital expansion plans, renovations, and construction projects is to develop their services for better operations and patient care. But even though the intentions of hospital expansion plans are good, its process can be inconvenient. Frankly, medical professionals and patients are the ones experiencing the inconveniences of hospital projects. That’s why stakeholders ensure it will be smooth, convenient, and safe for professionals and patients when undergoing one.

But even though they’re careful and thorough in starting one, inconveniences could still happen. In this post, let’s look at the challenges of hospital expansion projects.

 

1 – Decreased patient comfort

Overall, hospital expansion projects could cause a decrease in patients’ comfort. It is more likely to happen, especially if the private rooms where inpatients stay are near the construction project. Relocating patients to other areas could also cause discomfort for some who are sensitive to movements or wish to stay inside their room undisturbed.

That’s why when relocating patients, it’s essential to do it in an organised manner that would not further cause discomfort to them. 

 

2 – Noise disturbance

One of the downsides of a construction project is the noise disturbance it brings. If the hospital will only relocate the affected offices and departments to a different area, the properties near the construction can still experience noise disturbances. The noise may not be as loud as in typical construction projects, but it can affect the overall productivity of medical employees and the visits of outsiders.

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Noise disturbances could affect employees’ work productivity and mood. The same applies to how visitors perceive the hospital due to the construction project.

 

3 – Limited movement capacity

Another possible downside of a hospital expansion project is limited movement capacity. Since the hospital will close and limit access to areas where the project will take place, employees’ and patients’ movement flow will be affected. 

Hospital corridors can easily be congested during the project, especially during peak times and the weekends. Lines in doctor clinics and consultations will fill the waiting areas quickly, and patient experience could decline. 

 

4 – Longer patient waiting time

Since movement in the hospital will be tight, it could result in longer patient waiting time. Typically, maximum waiting hours for consultations range from an hour or more, depending on the number of patients and office hours of the doctor. But if there are tests that patients need to do where they’ll need to return within the day for assessment, waiting time could be longer.

Because of this, patient experiences during their visit could affect their perception of the hospital. That’s why wisely planning the relocation is essential to ensure the project won’t detrimentally impact the hospital’s operations and reputation.

 

5 – Limited service availability

Another challenge of a hospital expansion project is they limit the availability of health services for the time being. It is unavoidable, especially if the department or laboratory is in the area where the construction will take place.

Sometimes, this happens for a couple of months or more. What happens is hospitals partner with another hospital or facility that can provide the service for the time being. However, this solution could also be a challenge to patients. Let’s see in the next point why.

 

6 – Referrals could be inconvenient to some patients

If a hospital limits its services due to the project and partners with other health facilities for the time being, it can be inconvenient to some patients. Why? Because if the facility’s location is not close to the hospital, patients will have to travel to undergo the test their physician requires. 

It could be a hassle for patients who are not feeling well and don’t have a companion to accompany them to the clinic. 

 

7 – Patient infections

Lastly is patient infections. Since the health conditions of most patients are poor, infections and transmissions are likely to happen. It’s critical, especially if many patients have dust allergies, or need strict quarantine protocols for treatment.

However, this challenge is unlikely to happen, especially if the hospital relocates the patients beforehand and complies strictly with health protocols to protect them. 

 

Undergoing hospital expansion plans can be challenging, but it will benefit patients and employees in the long run.

Indeed, undergoing hospital expansion plans requires medical professionals and patients to sacrifice their stay and visits within the premises. It may be hard during the project course, but as soon as it’s complete, daily operations, service quality, and hospital stays will be better. 

Written by Bianca Banda

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