Author: Eliz

Technology has played an increasing role in the delivery of healthcare over the last 20 years, driven by the expansion of the internet, Wi-Fi, and network-based systems.

From building automation and control, nurse call, television, motorized shade specifications, and IT-based interactive patient and locating systems to medical equipment such as IV pumps, smart patient beds, and other auxiliary equipment, the quantity of systems to be integrated in today’s healthcare environments is staggering.

However, hospital technology implementations often don’t meet functional requirements and clinical needs. This is because the functionality for new technologies are not being sufficiently defined nor implemented correctly. Issues include improper device locations, misunderstood technology utilization, scope issues, technology changes, and necessary adaptable spaces.

Design teams can help healthcare providers improve outcomes by assisting clinicians, IT and facilities staff, and administrators in understanding the realistic capabilities of healthcare technology.

Breaking down challenges

Oftentimes challenges arise during the procurement

UCLA Health (Los Angeles) has selected the project team to transform the former 175,000-square foot Olympia Medical Center in Los Angeles into a neuropsychiatric hospital.

Global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK (Los Angeles) and construction firm McCarthy Building Companies Inc. (Los Angeles) will serve as the design-build team for the project. The facility will provide services for adult, geriatric, child, adolescent, and intensive care patients.

UCLA Health’s inpatient neuropsychiatric program is currently housed in the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on UCLA’s Westwood campus in Los Angeles. The facility’s 74 inpatient psychiatric beds will be relocated to the new hospital, which will include space for additional beds, bringing the facility’s total bed count to 119.

Plans also call for 20 observation beds, as well as imaging, a pharmacy, lab areas, and administrative offices.

Trauma-informed design features will include distributed therapy

I have been reflecting as 2022 winds down, realizing that as healthcare IT leaders prepare for a new year, there will be many headwinds facing our future path. Although it’s been almost three years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leading healthcare IT organizations has never been more challenging.

What worked for many years in terms of leading technology teams is often no longer enough in today’s new healthcare setting. The skills, traits and experience that made leaders successful in the past continues to change direction and evolve as the fallout from the great resignation and remote working impact the workforce.

I’d like to share, from my experience, several strategies that IT leaders may benefit to focus on as we move into 2023 and beyond to maximize retention and productivity.

Assuming that you have a healthy organizational culture, having your finger on the pulse of the environment and setting your sights

At the end of every Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, I have the same thought: “This was our best year ever.” The 2022 event in San Antonio was no exception, and I’m not alone in my sentiments. In the days following, I saw countless social media posts echoing the same response.

This year felt extra special for many reasons. Though we were able to gather together last year in Cleveland, we were fewer, and people were still being very cautious. There were more fist bumps than hugs, and many friends and colleagues I saw only from the eyes up.

From day one of this year’s conference, the energy was tangible. People were excited to be together to learn and celebrate our accomplishments as a community. And celebrate we did.

There was a packed house when A. Ray Pentecost III, director of The Center for Health Systems and Design, was