Waiting for a construction surge, hospitals focus on smaller projects

Although a boom in hospital construction is on the horizon, hospitals are focusing on smaller projects that improve quality and attract patients.

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital may be opening its new $450 million main campus facility Saturday, Centegra Health Systems may want to build a new $233 million facility, and Mercy Health Systems may have proposed a new $199 million hospital, but most Chicago-area hospitals are turning to smaller renovations and additions, reports the Chicago Daily Herald.

Instead of huge projects like new buildings, hospitals are adding private patient rooms, building outpatient clinics and incorporating green designs.

"Most hospitals and healthcare systems are in a wait-and-see mode," Albert Manshum, vice president of facilities & construction for Advocate Health Care, told the newspaper.

And as hospitals compete to attract insured patients and generate better outcomes and profits, they may lean toward smaller projects that have been shown to add value or enhance clinical quality--like single patient rooms.

"That's going to be the driver moving forward in any construction," noted York Chan, administrator of facilities for Advocate Health Care.

 For more:
- read the Chicago Daily Herald article