Across Chicago and the metro area, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created a new urgency for hospitals to prepare. From the standpoint of helping them get their spaces ready, construction management firms such as Skender have been tasked with implementing a variety of solutions. Connect Media spoke with Skender VP Jeff Janicek for insights from the frontlines.

Q: What are some of the facilities concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19?

A: As far as our construction projects go, work is continuing to ensure the smooth delivery of much-needed healthcare spaces right now. Maintaining normalcy and consistency any way we can is key for our healthcare clients. Infection control is always a priority at healthcare facilities. Now, with such a contagious disease as COVID-19, containment efforts have ramped up. We’ve increased the level of detail on cleaning and sanitizing on our sites as a result, mostly as a precaution to protect the work force. In addition to affecting hospitals’ ability to procure necessary medical equipment, global supply chain challenges have created shortages of numerous materials such as temporary wall and enclosure systems, which have hampered the ability to create isolated spaces, so hospitals are working with us to seek out alternatives.

Q: How are hospital facilities enacting a rapid response to prepare for an influx of COVID-19 patients?

A: Healthcare leaders are having to move on compressed timelines, working closely with public health officials and municipalities, to figure out how to safely deliver care on a mass scale, while sometimes employing spaces that aren’t traditionally designed to treat contagious and acute patients. As many non-isolated spaces are quickly converted to serve patients that need to be quarantined, properly conditioned spaces are imperative to prevent particulates from spreading through ventilation. Hospital facility management teams are also working with their trusted contractors to ensure proper protocols are followed, as well as get facilities work done in a way that is least disruptive to the patient population that’s already hospitalized.

Q: What innovative approaches to healthcare design or construction could be employed during a pandemic response?

A: Hospitals that are quickly running out of beds are looking at makeshift solutions to provide spots for incoming patients. For example, some hospitals have put ambulatory services on hold for the time being and are converting those areas to ICU beds. Building in flexible spaces and patient rooms will be essential going forward in healthcare design. Outside of the physical space, hospitals are setting up tents in parking lots or green space to accommodate more beds. Public entities are even opening triage centers with hundreds more beds in empty conference centers, such as what we see at McCormick Place in Chicago and the Javits Center in New York City, and sports arenas.

Although these are temporary setups, hospital systems will continue building out health centers and clinics in locations outside of the hospital – such as strip malls – to meet the population where it is.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Paul Bubny