Steps in Hospital Planning

Market Survey and Feasibility Study
A hospital feasibility study is a crucial process for determining the source of patient flow for a new healthcare facility. It involves a market and financial analysis of the proposed project, demand analysis, assessing the suitability of the proposed healthcare facility location, identifying the right specialties, and understanding the existing critical gaps in private healthcare.

This study is beneficial for new investors, funding agencies, overseas players, and medical suppliers looking to penetrate the hospital market. A typical hospital feasibility study involves establishing a doctor group based on preferred specialties and using a combination of qualitative and quantitative surveys. The survey evaluates the hospital's suitability, quality, patient satisfaction, treatment quality, and recommendations on specialties. Read More...

Detailed Project Report
Detailed Project Reports (DPR) assist in establishing facilities and guiding informed decision-making. They help in assessing market dynamics, identifying challenges, evaluating feasibility, sustainability, and strategic direction. DPRs also serve as a reference point when seeking external funding. A comprehensive healthcare market analysis involves assessing demographic trends, healthcare consumption patterns, and existing infrastructure to determine the required medical services.

DPRs also assess the competitive landscape, analysing existing providers, strengths, weaknesses, and positioning. Techniques like SWOT analysis help identify risks and opportunities, enhancing project success. DPRs facilitate collaboration among investors, professionals, and partners, ensuring project objectives coherence. They recommend optimal formats and business models based on market analysis and stakeholders' input, maximizing profitability and sustainability. Financial planning and projections are also included in DPRs. Read More...

Hospital Architecture Design and Planning
Hospital concept design is the first step in the planning, design and construction of healthcare facilities. This process involves translating the vision into reality, conducting extensive research, site visits, and regular conversations with clients and various user groups. Conceptualization includes providing the elevation of the hospital building, block relationships of departments, vertical circulation elements such as elevators and staircases, and the layout of horizontal circulation routes (corridors). Once the concept is approved, detailed architecture is done, covering civil components, structural design, electrical and mechanical services.

Detailed Hospital Architecture Services cover the complete design of the hospital or civil component, preparation of the master plan for the whole complex, interior design, internal space and facility planning, auxiliary support services, building block design, layout of rooms within each department, schematic drawings, space programming, Bill of Quantities ( BOQs), and design vetting for new hospitals and nursing homes as per mandatory NABH, Fire National and International Clinical Guidelines, Compliance, and Local Bylaws. Hospital Structural Design Services cover hospital upgrade renovation projects, complete design of the structural framework, appropriate framing systems, and detailed construction drawings for the work on site. Design of Services (MEP) covers electrical design, sanitation, plumbing, water supply, firefighting and protection system design, elevator specification, telecommunication system, public address systems, CCTV surveillance, building management systems, Medical Gas Pipeline. Read More...

Medical Equipment Planning
With over 35% of the total project cost going for equipment procurement, the proper planning of this activity is crucial to the entire feasibility of the project. To reduce medical equipment costs, a specialized team approach dedicated to working on medical equipment planning is required, which should begin from the concept stage of the project, ensuring that all components are carried out in a manner that is specific to the hospital's services, operational goals and success. The Equipment Planning Team must be constantly updated on the latest developments in the field, with members having the highest levels of skills and expertise in installation methods, all statutory and regulatory design and layout standards, and environment conditions under which the equipment will be functioning properly.

Essential components in medical equipment planning include conceptualization, criteria design, developing specifications, complying with accreditation requirements, budgeting, planning and scheduling, selection and procurement, including tendering, negotiation and finalization, and installation and commissioning. Our medical equipment team works directly with clinicians, feasibility experts, engineers, architects, and MEP consultants to understand the service requirements and stage-wise roll-out plan of the hospital project. At the procurement stage, all various equipment options available undergo a thorough techno-commercial feasibility analysis before the final procurement decision is taken. Every extra rupee spent on equipment impacts its viability and ultimately increases the cost of care provided by the hospital. Read More...

Hospital Accreditation
Quality accreditations and certifications, such as Full NABH, Entry Level NABH, NABL, and JCI, are prestigious recognitions, enhancing safety and quality of care for large, medium, and small healthcare organizations.

NABH
The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers ( NABH) is the top level standard for healthcare quality in India. It has two versions: Full NABH, suitable for large specialty and tertiary care level hospitals, and Entry Level NABH, suitable for smaller hospitals. The full NABH has evolved over five major revisions and is also accepted by ISQUA, the International Society for Quality Assurance in Healthcare.
These standards are management systems for all types and sizes of hospitals, enabling them to deliver high-quality services. Patients benefit the most from these certifications, as they result in high-quality care and patient safety. Quality accreditations and certifications also benefit the staff of the hospital, providing continuous learning, a good working environment, leadership, and ownership of clinical processes.

JCI
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCI) was established to ensure that every patient receives the highest quality of care possible through a quality accreditation program. Benefits to the hospital from the JCI Standards include a deep commitment to high-quality care, a culture of safety for patients, visitors, and staff, a care delivery system based on recognized, evidence-based practices, and leadership in continually complying with these exacting Standards of Quality and Safety. Different JCI standards available include those for hospitals, ambulatory care, home care, clinical laboratories, academic medical centre hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical transport organizations, and primary care centres.

NABL
The benefits of laboratory accreditation include a ready means for customers to identify and select reliable testing, measurement, and calibration services, increased confidence in testing and calibration reports, and the use of results by regulators for public benefit. It offers better laboratory operations control and feedback to laboratories on their quality assurance system and safety. Read More...

Hospital Staff Recruitment
Hospitals must invest in staff training and development to improve patient care, increase efficiency, and expand services. This helps hospitals to maintain compliance with regulations, maintain accreditation, and attract top talent. Staff members who are well-trained and aware of the full range of services offered by the hospital become brand ambassadors, referring more patients and driving new business. They are also more likely to go above and beyond in their work, leading to higher patient satisfaction rates, increased patient loyalty, and more referrals.

Investing in staff training and development can positively impact the hospital's marketing efforts, as well-trained staff members can provide valuable insights, feedback, and testimonials about the high-quality care provided.

Hospital Planning in Hospital Management
Operations:
Operations management in hospitals is the process of planning, organizing and controlling the activities of a healthcare organization. Good operations management can help reduce costs and improve efficiency. Operations management professionals play an essential role in keeping hospitals running and ensuring that they provide the required patient care. They often work in teams to perform various administrative tasks necessary for the smooth running of the hospital.
Digital Health :
Digital health, encompassing various terms such as e-health, m-health, and tele-health, enables healthcare professionals to collect, share, analyse, and use data to improve patient care quality. Digital Health focuses on remote patient monitoring (RPM), hospital information management software (HIMS, EMR, and Cloud PACS), and telemedicine. These technologies help patients manage their health issues with regular monitoring of clinical symptoms, enabling early detection of signs revealing disease development and progression. This helps to maintain healthy doctor-patient relationships, reduce inefficiencies, and increase access to quality treatment. It aims to provide equal access to quality care to all, including those at the grassroots level. Telemedicine services are introduced to minimize inequity and to remove access barriers to healthcare for the patients.

i) Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM):
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a significant application of digital technology in the healthcare sector, helping to monitor the health condition of patients outside typical hospital or clinic settings. RPM systems have evolved significantly as they expand quality healthcare access to small towns and rural areas. The latest RPM devices, including wearable and internet-based diagnostic tools, are used to monitor vital parameters like blood pressure, temperature, heartbeat, oxygen levels etc. ACME has collaborated with TATA Communications to offer few practical applications of remote health monitoring services, such as electronic intensive care units, smart ambulance systems, smart virtual clinics, and wearable devices. Smart ambulance systems are equipped with the latest tracking devices for tracing and reaching the exact location quickly.

ii) HIMS:
ACME Digital, supported by TATA Communications, is introducing comprehensive Hospital Information Management Software (HIMS) designed to digitize hospital operations and ensure adherence to the digital standards set forth by NABH. HIMS stands out as a transformative solution in the healthcare context due to its cost-effectiveness, scalability, enhanced data security, accessibility, interoperability, streamlining administrative tasks, and cost reduction. By redirecting cost savings towards patient care and technological advancements, hospitals can streamline their operations and improve patient outcomes.

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