Bim-led Prefabrication An Effective Way Forward For Healthcare Mep Projects
Designing and planning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for healthcare facilities brings with it a set of daunting challenges for the entire MEP (M&E) fraternity. Considering the project complexities, stringent building codes, healthcare standards, local regulations, and constricted deadlines, MEP (M&E) designers and contractors are always walking a tight line.
Whilst building information modelling (BIM) techniques at the design stage may improve interdisciplinary MEP coordination, help detect design clashes and streamline scheduling/costing in the preconstruction phase, very little is known about how BIM-led prefabrication of MEP systems offsite can help enhance quality, save time and money, and optimise the logistical flow on site. The BIM design data, embedded in the MEP models, can be used to create fabrication drawings by either using traditional detailing or using fabrication softwares (AutoDesk Fabrication). These drawings display fabrication details which can be directly recognised by the CNC machines for production purposes.
One of the most challenging engineering systems to design, healthcare facilities house a range of medical and therapeutic departments to treat different illnesses. Each of these departments has its own set of requirements for HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems as well as plant areas. So, whether the hospitals MEP system demands HVAC systems with precise humidity control, temperature, and indoor air quality (IAQ) standards or custom isolation for operating rooms, the information rooted in the BIM 3D documents can enhance modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
Some other MEP components which are specifically used in healthcare facilities include sprinklers, fire suppression systems, high-pressure steam boilers, direct-expansion (DX) cooling systems, and tamper-proof receptacles. As it is well known in the AEC industry worldwide, BIM is a change in approach which brings together all the discipline-specific professionals during the pre-construction phase. On the contrary, the traditional design-bid-build approach lacks coordination between the concerned disciplines.
Accordingly, when MEP (M&E) designers, consultants, and fabricators use BIM for prefabrication of MEP components, the benefits are worthy. Besides, the modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in a controlled environment and installing them on site is highly effective considering its cost savings, quality improvements, labour efficiency, waste reduction, and in-time completion benefits.
Considering the complex nature of MEP (M&E) systems in healthcare facilities and an increase in adoption of BIM, prefabrication and modularisation will offer more productivity and efficiency gains to MEP (M&E) designers, contractors, manufacturers, fabricators, and installers. Modern prefabrication technologies along with integrated project delivery (IPD) can certainly lead to greater predictability, timely project completion, and increased cost savings.
Mystery Shopping The Healthcare Industry A Must For Patient Retention
Mystery shopping the healthcare industry may strike some as counter-intuitive. Medicine and commerce have traditionally been mutually exclusive endeavors, but as medical practices consolidate and look more and more like regular businesses, patient retention becomes a growing factor.
The era of crotchety doctors and long waits in DMV-esque waiting rooms is drawing to a close, and many healthcare providers have embraced reputable mystery shopping firms as a partner in improving the patient experience. Here is what they are measuring:
Healthcare providers audit the appointment setting process.
Medical offices are typically a beehive of activity, and this is often reflected in the poor quality of the phone conversations we have with receptionists and other staff. Mystery shoppers are most often asked to audit the following, when calling to set an appointment with a medical practice:
Was the staffer courteous and helpful?
Did the staffer gather the required patient information?
Did the staffer ask how the caller learned of the practice?
Did the staffer tell the patient what to expect at the visit?
Did the staffer offer directions to the office? Did the staffer confirm the appointment details?
A good firm will ensure all calls are recorded so the client can hear how the call went.
Hidden video is becoming more prevalent for healthcare mystery shoppping, and gives an objective diagnosis of how your office is performing.
Healthcare providers audit the office visit.
Once the patient arrives at the office, there are many things that can affect the quality of the visit. Mystery shoppers audit everything from parking lot to the office and back. Here are the most commonly audited aspects of a medical visit:
How difficult was it to find the office?
How was the patient greeted?
How long was the check-in process?
Were the appropriate forms completed?
What was the wait time?
What was the condition of the waiting room?
How long did the patient wait in the examining room?
Were nurses and doctors friendly?
Did the doctor follow procedure in explaining the diagnosis?
Were options given?
Reputable firms offer mystery shops in the following types of healthcare practices:
Family practices
Pediatrics
PT/OT
Obstetrics
Dental
Orthodontics
Hospitals
Immediate care clinics
Cosmetic Surgery practices
There is a trend towards using independent contractors in many of the settings listed above. It is especially important to audit these situations, as there may not be as strong an allegiance from hired guns than from permanent full-time employees.
[Top]Effective Pitching Practices for Healthcare Public Relations
Healthcare public relations efforts are fueled by effective pitching and landing coverage. Through developing relationships with targeted reporters and news outlets, healthcare companies and organizations can better inform the public of their mission, policies and practices. Here is some advice on effectively pitching to health and healthcare reporters.
Find the most relevant person at the most relevant outlet. Targeting specific media outlets and specific journalists for each pitch increases the likelihood of landing coverage. Honing in this way allows for you to take a step back and really consider your audience. Who is this pitch intended to reach? What media outlets do these people pay attention to? What journalists have recently covered this topic? These are all good questions for healthcare public relations practitioners to ask themselves before pitching.
Check editorial calendars. Editorial calendars inform healthcare public relations practitioners when and what publications will be writing about. This should always be checked before pitching because they will be beneficial in coming up with the best pitching angles. To illustrate, perhaps a top healthcare trade publication is doing a special feature on heart disease. As the healthcare public relations representative for a company that specializes in treatment options for heart disease, this is the perfect opportunity to have a spokesperson provide commentary.
Break through the noise. Journalists receive numerous email and phone pitches daily. In order to stand out, your pitch needs to be creative, different and memorable. Entice journalists by playing to their interests. The reader should be instantly engaged in your pitch and want to read on. Any pitch that seems too much like an ad will likely be disregarded by journalists. To avoid having a pitch that is too self-promoting, it is important to stretch beyond and tie to a larger issue or event.
Simplicity is key. When pitching to the media, keep pitches short and to the point. The point of utilizing pitching for your healthcare public relations efforts is to get the media hooked and make them want more information from you. Therefore, there is no need to include every detail in your pitch. This also sets the stage for you to develop two-way communication and relationships with these journalists.
Through using the above tips, healthcare companies and organizations should be able to pitch more effectively and see an increase in landing placements. This will not only increase media coverage, but position health care companies and organizations ahead of the competition.
Kevin Waddel is a free lance writer. To get more information about Public relations, Public Relations New York, New York city public relations, Healthcare Public Relations, PR, NYC Public Relations Firms, Financial Services Relations in New York visit
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