Building Best Practices with Facility Infrastructure Solutions
With more than 100 top-quality suppliers of major building equipment, systems, supplies and services under contract, HealthTrust’s Facility Infrastructure Solutions (FIS) helps members control construction and renovation budgets while reining in maintenance and operations costs.
Established in 2011, FIS recognizes every project has unique features that require considerable flexibility, says Jenna Thomas, director, FIS. “A cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach will not work, so we customize our services and level of engagement for each project.”
Facility Construction and Renovation
For construction or renovation projects, FIS works with members to standardize construction documents, increasing transparency on indirect purchases that otherwise would be made by subcontractors with little or no oversight. FIS can also help standardize equipment and system designs for facilitating the construction process.
The Facility Infrastructure Advisory Board reviews and approves everything in the contract portfolio, from plumbing fixtures and lighting packages to air handling units and elevators. The board is composed of HealthTrust members who are leaders in design, construction and facility management.
“Bringing FIS in at the start is the most effective way to incorporate best practices throughout the conceptual, design, construction and turnover processes. Standardization is the only way to combat high costs of custom designs.”
—Jenna Thomas, director, FIS
Though FIS can step in at whatever point a member wishes, earlier is better, Thomas says.
“Planning and design start long before actual construction or renovation begins,” she says. “Bringing us in at the start is the most effective way to incorporate best practices throughout the conceptual, design, construction and turnover processes. Standardization is the only way to combat high costs of custom designs, which are difficult to price and impossible to vet on a project-by-project basis.”
Standardization translates into savings. For example, one member saves an average of 21 to 28 percent on lighting packages thanks to standardized specs, design and purchasing.
FIS can assist members by engaging architects, engineers and consultants to explore opportunities for standardization in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and interior selections.
After construction documents are issued, FIS works with the general contractor to ensure that preferred suppliers are being utilized and bids follow the agreed-upon specifications. FIS can also make sure purchases by contractors and subcontractors are for specified materials at the contract price.
“We can further guarantee that all potential savings opportunities are being considered prior to construction beginning—in lieu of subcontractors making engineering decisions that could sacrifice quality for our members and pad the subcontractors’ individual bottom lines,” Thomas says.
Facility Operation and Maintenance
Once the dust has settled, FIS offers a suite of contracts covering equipment, maintenance supplies and service, and equipment and system replacement to manage the cost of operating and maintaining a facility. Covered services include elevator maintenance, bulbs and ballasts, waste and recycling services, water treatment, air filters, and cleaning supplies. In one case involving elevator maintenance, a member saw a 28 percent savings by consolidating spend to HealthTrust preferred suppliers.
“Our contracted suppliers will do free site assessments to help members convert to HealthTrust contracts, which can save them 10 to 50 percent on materials and services they use every day—in many cases, the exact same items and suppliers,” Thomas says.
Through HealthTrust’s EnergyTrust division, members can also significantly reduce their spending on electricity and fossil fuels.
The FIS portfolio of products and services continues to grow, with new suppliers added monthly. HealthTrust constantly reviews industries and suppliers, looking for new opportunities to bring greater value to members, notes Don Weller, director, Capital Equipment Group Buy Program at HealthTrust.
Weller oversees HealthTrust’s group buy program, which consolidates the major equipment purchases of multiple members to generate even greater savings.
“The savings that we achieve through our nearly $1 billion in national agreements and our internal expertise are available to all members, regardless of size,” Weller says.
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