Master Planning
Creating a comprehensive roadmap to achieve a client’s vision.
This long-term strategy meets current needs while offering flexibility for the evolving health landscape of tomorrow. Using evidenced-based design and lean work flow analysis, master planning identifies ways to improve the bottom line, not strain it. We have completed over 250 master plans for clients ranging from small community hospitals to 1,000-bed medical centers.
Needs Assessment & Facility Survey
This component is about performing the due diligence and collecting the necessary information to begin an
intelligent dialogue with hospital administrators and end users.
Our facility assessment team performs a thorough review of both the data accumulated in house and
physical condition of buildings on the Hospital campus. We walk the buildings and document/confirm existing infrastructure, state of use, adjacency of departments, perceived efficiency, and physical condition of each location.
Program Development
We lead user groups in workshops designed to explore existing programs, best-practices for programs, and future program use needs. Programming sessions invite productive and important dialogue between planners and end user groups regarding the future of each department. Widely viewed as being extremely enjoyable, thought provoking and constructive, the level of end user engagement in this process is unique to our team.
Facility Options
Creativity is critical for this phase which takes a big picture look at facilities solutions that may involve renovation, expansion/replacement, or both, as well as what to do with the leftover or “backfill” areas.
We develop multiple independent options and present them to the Client’s planning team. We utilize our unique E4H tools and live interactive planning sessions to review and modify those options, eventually arriving at consensus.
Costs & Phasing
We believe it is critical to present multiple options of varying scope and cost, both short-range and long-range, for consideration. A final report is prepared that documents the entirety of the research performed to date. It will outline the programmatic assessment and proposed solutions for reorganization. The package will track decision making from the start using Decision Making Matrixes born from our Lean practices. Next steps, including an outline of necessary regulating agencies to engage, will be provided along with a thorough project budgetary cost estimate.
Case Studies
The following select studies reflect unique situations presented to our team. Through the master planning process, along with our client, and the community, we were able to effectively create a plan to satisfy both present and future needs.
We've partnered with E4H on multiple projects that are integral to our Master Facilities Plan, which is our strategic vision for how our facilities will meet the needs of our patients and families today, and in the years to come. E4H takes a patient-and family-centered approach to design, and works collaboratively with our staff, patients and families to ensure we design and build a healing environment that will improve the quality of care.
Dawn LeBaron, FACHE, CHFM Vice President Hospital Services
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER