HCSHQ_102021

October 2021 — Health Care & Senior Housing Quarterly — Page 13 www.crej.com would pose an unforeseen issue with its 24-week lead time. Because it is a design-build project, we had the ability for the contractor to order the elevator before the construction documents or shop drawings were completed, not to mention AHJ approvals or permits. This is definitely not the typical approach, but it was the only way the team could possibly meet the schedule and the owner’s expectation. The design-build team took on this additional risk and made these adjustments in the design phase, doing everything we could to keep the project on schedule. It is worth pointing out that this would not have been possible in a design-bid-build scenario, indicating that project delivery approach is yet another factor in navigating this new world. Value engineering also has come up as a potential workaround for supply chain disruption and increasing cost of materials, but has its own new chal- lenges now. Systems for another proj- ect came in with a higher cost than expected. Our subcontractor came back to the table with ideas for how to save costs, and we shared a projected savings number. But because value engineering takes time – both mak- ing final decisions and then adjusting documents – by the time we made the decisions and the changes and went to bid, the anticipated savings had shrunk. It is clear that while saving money through value engineering is still possible, we also must be mindful that it requires the most precious thing we have on our side right now: time. The process alone can eat into those potential savings. Another potential solution to sup- ply chain constraints is prefabrication and modular design. Modular Design+, a frequent partner of CannonDesign, has noted a shift in the construction industry and a massive new interest in modular solutions. The company has seen a huge spike in requests for modular solutions from clients who have never explored prefabrication before. Modular design, where certain repeatable elements of a project (exam rooms, bathrooms, etc.) are designed and built off-site in a warehouse, can help accelerate a project’s timeline. This approach also is a solution to the lack of construction labor throughout the country. Ideally decided on from the very start of a project, prefabri- cation can be of great value to both schedule and budget. Design and construction teams are doing everything we can to make things feel as normal as possible for our clients and projects, even when behind the curtain nothing is normal right now in our world. Sometimes we’re changing the methods of how we execute a project; sometimes changing product selections for some- thing that is available on schedule; sometimes doing things out of order. Whatever it takes to create a success- ful project for everyone must be on the table. I’m not an economist – I am an architect. I can’t make predictions of when the supply chain, or for that matter many things that have changed due to the pandemic, will return to normal. For now, we are often adjust- ing the design and construction pro- cess. Think of ordering a sundae at a restaurant: Maybe you wanted real whipped cream but got the canned stuff instead. Maybe you wanted strawberry toppings but they were unavailable, so you selected butter- scotch instead. Perhaps the hot fudge is on the bottom, but it still tastes great. Our clients still will get fantastic projects meeting the functional needs. Our clients still will be able to provide world-class patient care.We as design and construction teams just need to roll up our sleeves and get creative, and ask our clients to be patient, have con- fidence and know that we are all doing the very best we can right now. s sroot@cannondesign.com Root Continued from Page 4 ence between life and death, healthy patients and sick patients. Plan- ning and execution with protecting patients, staff and visitors go beyond just keeping negative air pressure or keeping dust contained. The methods and protocols also address total environment of care, including noise, life safety, circulation and per- ception. J.W. Stamison, vice president/area manager for Flintco’s Denver office, serves on the Quality and Safety Committee for two local hospitals. “This unique perspective allows us to see the importance of safety from health care executive and a care- giver’s viewpoint,” said Stamison. “We focus on continuous improve- ment and key quality indicators for c. difficile infections, sepsis and overall patient satisfaction on those committees. It allows us to under- stand our clients and enhance our own programs that manage leading measures to ensure we are part of the solution in these important and ever-changing facilities.” Further engaging the discussion in our role as a contractor, Flintco Construction Director Dave Kenney tells his teams to imagine being in a hospital on your worst day with a critically ill family member. “Now imagine looking around and seeing a dirty, noisy or congested area that is taken over by construction,” he says. “How would you feel on that day? Or how would you feel if you were a nurse or physician trying to care for someone near a construction con- tainment?” To make it hit home, he adds, “How would you feel if your new- born baby was in the NICU while unexpected noise and vibrations were occurring next door that caused undo stress to your baby who is fighting to survive?” Conversations like these bring a deeper understanding of infection prevention, and everyone recognizes how every action has a reaction – it makes it personal. This level of attention is brought to the job site from Day One as the project plan starts to take shape, as those are the situations to avoid at all costs to ensure that the environ- ment of care is preserved through- out all construction activities. Only trained professional health care constructors should be brought into a health and wellness envi- ronment, and each team member should be required to undergo extensive infection risk assessment, prevention measures and safety training before performing explor- atory investigation or work in any facility. This includes craft personnel and trade partners alike. The goal is to always be an exten- sion of the facility and safety teams on any given campus. “If you see something, say something, and cor- rect the situation,” said Flintco Proj- ect Manager Adam Kaufman. “The moment you park, your actions can either do harm or good.” s michelle.koca@flintco.com Koca Continued from Page 10