By Dan Hounsell

While healthcare systems often undertake new construction projects to expand services and increase patient satisfaction, renovations and upgrades of existing facilities often can achieve the same goals without the huge investment.

Eight years ago, Yale New Haven Hospital acquired the Hospital of Saint Raphael to create a dual-campus single hospital. Administrators quickly learned that much of Saint Raphael’s existing equipment in its central utility plant had outlived its expected lifespan and needed to be replaced, according to Health Facilities Management. 

While all the work isn’t quite completed, the biggest result so far is a more comfortable inpatient climate and environment that patients, families and staff appreciate. 

When replacing antiquated mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure in a live hospital environment, the challenges are considerable. More than 250 shutdowns were required for systems like electrical, steam and chilled water. Because a construction crane was needed, careful equipment rigging and staggered vacating of areas were required, and chiller plant upgrades were completed during the cold winter months to ensure that it was ready for the next cooling season.