Healthcare construction has always been one of the more complex sectors of the industry. (So complex, in fact, that many construction companies and general contractors stay away from it.) That’s because healthcare construction requires meticulous planning, coordination, and expertise to ensure the final project meets the highest standards of safety, functionality, and patient care.
At Jos. Schmitt Construction, we have years of experience in the healthcare industry and are equipped to handle any project within that sector. Read on to learn about the unique challenges and opportunities in the healthcare construction industry, and see how they should be navigated to ensure success.
5 Healthcare Construction Challenges
While the unique challenges of healthcare construction can make building in this sector more difficult than others, an experienced construction company will know how to expertly overcome the obstacles outlined below.
1. Navigating Strict Regulations
Healthcare facilities must adhere to strict regulations and codes to ensure patient safety, privacy, and compliance with healthcare standards. Some examples include:
- NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code): Sets the criteria for the design and construction of fire protection measures in buildings, including details like the locations of emergency exits and egress windows. Contains procedures specific to hospitals and clinics.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires that hospitals have accessible design features, such as ramps, wide corridors, and accessible bathrooms. This helps ensure all patients can maneuver through healthcare facilities.
- CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments): Sets standards for labs within healthcare facilities to ensure that diagnostic testing is accurate and reliable.
It’s important to note that these regulations are constantly changing as new, safer measures are discovered and adapted. Meeting these changes, while important, adds complexity to the design, construction, and operational phases.
2. Designing Specialized Infrastructure
Healthcare facilities require specialized infrastructure that supports life-saving activities, such as operating rooms, imaging suites, and inpatient facilities. Not only do you need to account for the specific electrical and mechanical needs of the equipment (such as MRI machines or CT scanners) in these areas, but you also have to consider redundancies.
There needs to be backup systems in place, so that if one system fails, another one is able to take over. That way, there is never any interruption to critical care. Integrating these systems is important, and not cheap—the average hospital construction costs around $700 to $730 per square foot.
3. Juggling Complex Stakeholder Relationships
Healthcare construction involves a wide range of stakeholders, including (but not limited to) hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, and patients. Coordinating communication and collaboration amongst these groups can be a real challenge, especially when navigating their competing priorities.
But despite the complications, it’s important to do so in order to align stakeholder needs with construction plans. Although talk tracks can quickly become muddled, it helps to be a good listener, document everything, and have regular check-ins.
4. Adhering to Infection Control
Healthcare construction projects must prioritize infection control measures to prevent the spread of pathogens and maintain a sterile environment. This is especially important during the construction phase, where clean work practices must be followed to minimize dust, debris, and other contaminants (especially if you’re working in an area occupied with patients).
Some examples of infection control measures include:
- Negative air pressure: A ventilation technique that keeps air flowing into the construction zone, not out.
- HEPA filtration units: Air scrubbers used in construction areas to filter out airborne particles.
- ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) barriers: Temporary floor-to-ceiling walls, typically constructed of drywall or plastic sheeting, that completely seal off a construction area.
- Sticky mats: A sticky adhesive mat that is placed at construction entryways to trap dust and debris from workers’ shoes before entering.
- Wet cutting: A technique that involves using water when cutting drywall or concrete to prevent dust.
- Anterooms: “Buffer” rooms at the entry points of construction sites where workers can remove any dusty or contaminated clothing, shoes, or equipment.
5. Dealing With Scheduling Constraints
Healthcare facilities often operate 24/7, making it difficult to schedule construction updates, repairs, or additions without disrupting ongoing patient care. Minimizing disruptions while completing construction projects on time requires careful planning and buy-ins from both the facility and the construction company or contractor.
5 Healthcare Construction Opportunities
Just as there are challenges in healthcare construction, there are many opportunities to innovate and help facilities provide the best care possible.
1. Modernization and Expansion Ideation
Many healthcare facilities need modernization or expansion to accommodate growing patient populations, new trends in medical technology, and changes in healthcare delivery. This presents opportunities for construction firms to undertake a renovation, remodel, or new construction project and provide trailblazing solutions and creative ideas.
2. Demand for Specialized Facilities
As the population ages and the demand for specialized medical services increases, the necessity for facilities is rising. There is an increasing need for facilities like senior care centers, specialty hospitals, outpatient clinics, and medical research buildings, and construction companies that are able to meet these demands will find themselves busy business-wise.
After all, according to the Healthcare Financial Management Association, hospital spending alone passed 1.6 trillion in 2024 (that’s an increase of $500 billion from 2018), and the numbers are expected to only continue to rise in 2026 and 2027.
3. Experience With Green Building Practices
Healthcare facilities are increasingly embracing sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices to reduce operational costs, improve patient outcomes, and demonstrate commitment to the environment.
Some examples of green building practices in healthcare include:
- Low-flow fixtures: Faucets, toilets, and showerheads that limit their water use.
- Recycled materials: Implementing floor, tiles, and wall panels made from recycled materials.
- Rooftop solar panels: Using solar panels to generate clean on-site electricity.
- Biophilic design: Biophilic design, which incorporates big windows and outdoor views, reduces lighting costs.
- LED lighting systems: LED lighting with sensors and daylight control can help reduce energy consumption.
These practices become all the more important when you consider that although healthcare facilities account for only 5% of commercial space in the U.S., they are responsible for about 10% of all commercial building energy consumption. This also allows construction firms with expertise in green building techniques and certifications to differentiate themselves in the market.
4. Competitive Technology Integration
The integration of trending advanced medical technologies, telemedicine solutions, and digital health platforms is driving the need for healthcare facilities with state-of-the-art infrastructure. By working on a healthcare project that effectively incorporates this technology into the facility design, you’ll gain a competitive edge.
5. Collaboration with Specialized Contractors
Healthcare projects require you to build not only strong relationships with healthcare providers, but also with specialized architects, engineers, and contractors. In order to work in a healthcare facility, they often have to hold specific certifications and have certain levels of experience.
Building these relationships can lead to opportunities for more streamlined collaboration on future healthcare projects. You’ll have already assembled a team that can work together efficiently, allowing for quicker project turnarounds.
Consider Jos. Schmitt Construction for Your Next Healthcare Project
For years, we have been a trusted partner to the healthcare industry in and around Southeastern Wisconsin, and are proud to have played a role in helping our partners improve the lives of those they serve. We’ll approach every project with the care and commitment that patients deserve—just like we did on the Aurora Healthcare seen above.
If you have a healthcare facility project you’re interested in getting started, contact us to learn more about how we can help build you a space that fosters healing, comfort, and connection.
