The design for Maine Medical Center in Portland demonstrates how operational efficiency can substantially lower design and construction costs, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
The project team identified a number of ways to streamline hospital operations, including taking items directly to the floors from trucks parked at the loading dock, building an off-site facility for the dietary services department's cook/chill program and holding linen at the laundry, rather than the hospital.
Implementing designs for these solutions is projected to cost $8 million, $22 million less than the original estimate, the article said.
By restructuring departmental operations and designing facilities accordingly, providers are finding ways to make patient care more efficient to deliver and receive.
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