Blog
www.dialogue.gspnet.com

ROI of sustainable healthcare design must be demonstrated

To maximize ROI, sustainability strategies should carefully balance fiscal, sociological and ecological interests- the triple bottom line

By Healthcare Facilities Today


As healthcare designers, we love to talk and dream about sustainable "hospitals of the future," but we must balance those eco-friendly dreams with the fiscal stresses our clients face and prove the return-on-investment (ROI) of our sustainability strategies, according to Michael Compton, LEED AP BD+C on his blog on the Greshan Smith and Partners website.

"To maximize ROI, sustainability strategies should carefully balance fiscal, sociological and ecological interests- the triple bottom line. From an operational standpoint, it is fairly easy to prove the fiscal benefits of sustainable strategies, particularly those that reduce energy consumption,"  Compton wrote.

He refers to a study cited in Healthcare Design magazine, that projects $980 million in savings if certain sustainable strategies were implemented at all U.S. hospitals. 

"It is important to remember, however, that a hospital's operational budget is often entirely separate from its capital or new construction budget. Strategies that lower operational costs can still be cost-prohibitive from a capital standpoint. This is especially true for design features that focus primarily on social or ecological benefits, which can have higher up-front costs and longer payback periods. Our challenge, then, is twofold: proving the ROI of sustainable strategies and, where possible, improving ROI by minimizing first costs. It is not an easy task, certainly, but it is arguably one of the most important we face,"  Compton wrote.

 Acccording to the blog, some sustainable design strategies can be achieved at little to no cost. For Kaiser Permanente's "Small Hospital, Big Idea" design competition, GS&P's team modified the building's orientation to minimize east-west facades in favor of north-south facades. Made early in the design process, that adjustment had little impact on overall square footage cost and changes in sun angles generated projected savings of $2 million over a 20-year period. 

Read the blog.

 

 



November 11, 2013


Topic Area: Energy Efficiency


Recent Posts

Why Cyber Readiness Is the New Standard of Care

In a sector in which digital disruptions are inevitable, the real measure of strength is the ability to deliver safe, reliable care no matter what.


Smarter, Faster, Safer: The Rise of AI in Healthcare Security Technologies

Manufacturers discuss how AI, machine learning and real-time analytics are boosting the speed and accuracy of CCTV monitoring and weapons detection.


The WHO and UNICEF Release New Global Hand Hygiene Guidelines

These are the first global guidelines for hand hygiene in community settings.


Swatting Calls, Hoax Threats Have Real Consequences for Healthcare

A recent report of a shooting at a hospital in California turned out to be a possible swatting incident.


Next Level Announces Expansion of Conroe, Texas Clinic

The expanded facility will offer additional exam rooms, improved patient flow and an enhanced waiting area designed with patient comfort in mind.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.