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Simple Steps to Design and Built Modern Hospital

20^th Dec 2016 |

In present times, healthcare is considered among the sunrise industry. The healthcare sector has been among investors mind as this is growing in double digits in India and likely to be so for next two decades due to supply-demand gap and rise in affordability. However, when we see some of the hospital project that have come up in last 5 to 10 years, we find that even basic modern hospital planning concepts have not been incorporated. As a result we have new hospitals, which are similar to 30 / 40-year- old hospital concept and do not meet consumer’s expectations. As per discussion with Dr. Vikram Singh Raghuvanshi, who is an expert in this hospital planning and designing and has designed more than 50 world-class hospitals, we have mentioned some of the essential guidelines one should consider and follow which plan for the new hospital are:

Promoter’s / Investor’s Vision

Well defines vision from promoter for the new hospital is starting point. His / Her vision must consider the final size (expansion, etc ) in the future. Also, it should be realistic, scientific and most importantly within the range of available budget. Over ambitious project with not sufficient capital may not complete due to resource constrained and is a waste. Ideally, what promoter wishes to create should be based on sound market study or vice versa. Many good market research firms are there and this does not cost too much. One can have a fairly sound market study in 4to 8 weeks time. Unfortunately, promoters who are doctors are the once who do not see any value in such exercise. In my view a good market study for type of hospital in geography, with which, it is planned is always be of value.

Hospital Plan: Following questions must be covered while firming up broad hospital plan

Type of Hospital:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary
• Single Specialty

Specialty focus

• Single specialty
• Multi specialty and clearly defining which specialty and what all facilities related to it like: Mother & Child Hospital – Beside birthing , one should clearly define if this hospital will also cover Gynecology / Onco gynecology / Laparoscopic Surgery / Neonatology / IVF etc.
• Once we have defined specialty and the type of work we wish to do under each, it is required to define average monthly volume at peak (sat after 5-6 yrs). This will help in arriving at right capacity ( OT /ICU/ OPD/ Ward Beds etc). This is simple, but a scientific way to arrive at capacity and it is ideal to involve a hospital planner.
• Size: You wish to build in one go or plan to do in Phases.
• Clearly identify and list present and future technology you wish to have e.g.: CT / MRI/ Linear Accelerator / Cath Lab/ PET Scan/ Hybrid OT / Modular OT / Level of laboratory services etc to name a few.
• End users (doctors / Nurses / Technicians / Equipment suppliers / Kitchen Vendors & Food Service agencies / housekeeping agencies / Biomedical Engineer / Input from major equipment supplier like CT / Cath lab / MRI input is very essential while listing requirement . Their needs will finally translate into the detail Space Program ( area requirement based on each function.
• A good Space program covers every functional area in detail like the number of OPD/ OT/ Lab /Radiology/ patient room / Diagnostic services like types of lab, etc. Even smallest of requirement needs to be listed and are required for that specific function to be defined. For example, in OPD, we should also cover facility like sample collection room, baby feeding room , dressing room , Injection or Immunization room, counseling room, space to hold Wheelchair / water cooler /etc.
• Services like electrical, Air conditioning, Medical gases, Plumbing, IT Network is the backbone of any good hospital infrastructure. Promoters must involve subject experts to have clarity, even before you engage an architect.
• To sum up, as we say in the Army “More you sweat in peace less you bleed in war”. On the same lines, it is good to do as much research and take as much input while everything is on a conceptual level. Any number of changes on paper will not cost much. But once you firm up a plan for implementation, changing anything during implementation will go to cost huge – both cost and time.