Technologies' impact on healthcare facilities.

Technologies common to other industries are gradually being utilized in healthcare. Heavily led by information technology, providers are using technology to increase efficiency, improve customer service and better integrate and streamline business and clinical processes. These changes are gradually making many hospitals' physical facilities obsolete, requiring substantial changes or upgrades. Eight examples are illustrated where technology is changing the requirements in facility utilization, design and construction.

In a time of change, construction planning takes on complex new dimensions.

While construction budgets appear to be tighter in the wake of Medicare's fold-in of inpatient capital payment, hospitals are going ahead with ambitious plans for expansion and renovation. But construction planning is increasingly becoming more interwined with overall strategic planning.