At HealthTrust Connect 2024, industry leaders in healthcare construction gathered to discuss the transformative role of prefabrication (prefab) and modular construction. Moderated by prefab construction expert Bill Hercules, the panel featured insights from Bob McCain, Design Optimization Manager at HCA, Ari Tinkoff at BR+A, Rolf Haarstad at CRGA Design, Edward Hernandez at Covalus, Inc., and Dave Kloubec at DPR Construction.
Their discussion underscored how prefab isn’t just a building approach, it’s also a strategic shift that enhances speed, collaboration, sustainability and cost efficiency in healthcare facility development. In case you missed it, here are four key themes from their conversation:
1. Accelerated Project Timelines for Faster Patient Care
One of the key advantages of prefab construction is speed to market, which translates to patients being cared for sooner and quicker revenue generation for providers. Prefab reduces construction timelines by approximately 20% or more, allowing hospitals and ambulatory facilities to open their doors ahead of traditional timelines. For example, Bob McCain, Design Optimization Manager at HCA, shared how HCA’s standardized modular designs streamline projects and eliminate time-consuming redesigns. These time savings are only realized if hospitals plan for early openings in advance.
2. Labor Shortage Mitigation and Enhanced Collaboration
Labor shortages are a growing concern in healthcare construction. Prefab mitigates this by shifting much of the construction process to off-site manufacturing locations, reducing the need for on-site labor by up to 40%. This approach minimizes safety risks, job site congestion and workforce demands. Additionally, prefab fosters early collaboration between stakeholders – including architects, engineers, contractors and healthcare administrators – leading to fewer change orders and more efficient workflows.
3. Sustainability and Cost Efficiency
Sustainability is another major benefit of prefab adoption. With sustainability efforts like waste reduction, prefab offers a solution that reduces material waste and improves energy efficiency. By manufacturing components in controlled environments, prefab significantly reduces unneeded excess materials, carbon emissions from transportation and disruption to surrounding communities.
When it comes to prefab adoption, some facilities are hesitant because there is a perception of required higher upfront costs. While initial expenses may be slightly higher, long-term savings significantly outweigh the investment. Standardized modular designs help maximize these savings, but inconsistency in layouts or late-stage changes can reduce prefab’s financial advantages.
4. The Future of Prefab in Healthcare
Prefab will and should continue to play a pivotal role as hospitals seek faster, smarter and more sustainable ways to build and expand facilities. Modular hospital components also allow for easier retrofits and upgrades, ensuring facilities can quickly evolve with future needs. Prefabrication isn’t an all-or-nothing approach; even partial modular implementation can yield significant efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Embracing prefab as a core strategy rather than a one-off solution ensures facilities can remain adaptable to evolving patient care needs.
Join Us at HealthTrust Connect 2025
The discussion at HealthTrust Connect 2024 reinforced that prefabrication is more than a construction method – it’s a paradigm shift in healthcare infrastructure development.
Want to stay ahead of industry trends and learn more about innovations shaping the future of healthcare construction? Don’t miss HealthTrust Connect 2025 on November 2-3. Stay tuned here for event details and opportunities to engage with industry leaders driving the next wave of change!
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