In light of our staff architect, attending the Health Facilities Planning Seminar this month, I thought it was timely to discuss what makes a contractor specialized in medical office construction. To some people, all buildings with walls, floors and a ceiling are the same and the contractor shouldn’t make a difference when constructing it. While I believe that it always matters who the contractor is and how professional and customer service oriented they are, obviously, most any contractor can build simple buildings (how much hassle you want to deal with is up to you). However, a medical building is not a simple building. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and uses a plethora of specialty equipment or med gases each with its own requirements. Plus whether you’re dealing with a Patient Centered Medical Home or a surgery or endoscopy center, it’ll be easier to successfully achieve your goal
with an architect and contractor that understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Moreover, HIPAA and ADA regulations alone can get everyone in trouble if the building isn’t built with the appropriate measures.
Continuing Education
The seminar that Rick just attended was for medical professionals, architects, engineers, and contractors. While there, he learned the most up-to-date information about healthcare regulations, the future of the industry, sustainability, lean design, infrastructure innovation, and certificate of needs updates. Rick will now apply that knowledge to his designs and share the information with our dedicated medical construction team. These aren’t things that your average architect or contractor would know.
Experienced Team
Furthermore, understanding patient flow, communication among staff, storage needs, med gases, certificate of need requirements, surgical/endoscopy/special treatment centers as well as industry trends and HIPAA and all the latest regulatory changes is what makes a contractor an expert in medical construction. Wolgast has the inside track on all these things with Dr. Michael Shepard on staff. A former practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Shepard has years of experience and is connected within the medical field to help our clients flush out their needs and work with Rick Keith to plan the most efficient building layout for their practice and to comfortably treat their patients.
Likewise, Wolgast has a dedicated staff of consultants, architects, project managers and field superintendents who consistently work on healthcare projects and they can help you convert your building into one that is more appealing to patients and efficient for staff.
Call 800-WOLGAST or email mshepard@wolgast.com to discuss your building needs with Dr. Shepard or download one of our healthcare related white papers.
