New construction resources
FAQs about patient engagement technology in new construction projects
When new hospital construction considers technology integrations before breaking ground, it can create seamless care environments that prioritize staff efficiencies and patient experiences.
Optimizing patient care incorporates everything from wayfinding and signage to patient room layouts and clinical area architecture.
Collaboration among construction firms, clinical teams, patient experience experts, and technology partners is key to creating the optimal hospital design for your organization.
Involving your technology partners in the planning process before construction even begins on your new hospital is the key to avoiding delays, incorporating best practices, implementing everything correctly from the get-go, and setting up everyone for long-term success.
Your patient engagement technology partner should have the expertise to advise on timelines, equipment, installations, and integrations throughout your project, as well as support for your staff and organization long after Day 1.
Which integrations your patient engagement technology needs will depend on your organization’s goals for the solutions. Consult with your partner on what would benefit your staff, patients, and families most.
Some third-party integrations to consider with patient technology include:
- EHR
- Patient education
- Virtual care
- Nurse call & rounding
- ADT & RTLS
- Scheduling
- Communications
- Dietary & meal ordering
- Entertainment & positive distraction
- Environmental controls
- Building automation
- TVs, sensors & smart devices
The value of an integrated solution is its ease of use, so take the time to understand how users will interact with all aspects of the system. Complicated systems can hurt patient experience and staff efficiency.
Your patient engagement technology partner should have technical experts to consult with your room architects and ITV teams on the best placement for technology within and outside patient rooms.
There are optimal viewing distances for digital displays, accessibility accommodations, patient engagement best practices, and proper power sources and data ports to consider.
SONIFI Health’s team has the expertise to help architect smart rooms with tech that’s easy to use, reliable, and seamlessly integrated, with infrastructure design that’s thoughtfully planned to be future-proof.
If your new construction project is part of an organization with legacy facilities, assess what to upgrade, retrofit, or scale in each location.
Many systems have options to use a site’s existing RF/coax infrastructure if recabling isn’t a viable option. Some can leverage switch ports or unused data ports in the room.
Other technologies—like smart room controls—may only make sense to add in the units where compatible wiring is in place.
Consider ways to bring in new features to legacy systems to reduce any functionality gaps across facilities or units.
Technology partners like SONIFI Health have teams of professionals with the expertise to recommend the most beneficial options for your staff and patients to have a consistent experience across your enterprise.
