Aging infrastructure in healthcare facilities represents significant cost and risk, and it has tremendous bearing on the potential and profitability of service lines.
For instance, a malfunctioning or underperforming engineering system can result in postponed or canceled procedures, dissatisfied patients, loss of revenue and additional expenses such as patient transfers or legal defense.
With extensive experience working in existing healthcare buildings, Haskell’s healthcare team investigates infrastructure problems, assesses the risk implications of “non-action,” develops repair and prioritization plans, provides options for optimizing existing system operations and identifies energy savings opportunities to offset capital costs. As part of an overall Facility Optimization Plan, we bring the expertise, tools, and integrated approach that help clients prioritize strategic capital needs.
Facility Condition Assessments
A Facility Conditions Assessment provides a functional and asset-inventory analysis to determine capacity, efficiency, remaining useful life, risk of failure, potential for growth and overall compliance of facility engineering generation and delivery systems. To demonstrate the outcomes, we use a proprietary interactive software tool, Building Symphony, to quantify the proposed strategy for upgrading inefficient, outdated equipment. Building Symphony clearly and concisely depicts the information decision-makers need to develop and prioritize capital budgets and determine fiscal viability for long-range planning.
Existing Building Commissioning (RetroCx)
With ongoing changes to facilities, we frequently discover that the original design intent for engineering systems is not sufficient for current operations. And when an mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) system has suboptimal water or energy performance, sometimes the cause lies in how multiple systems work together as well as how they perform individually.
As an accredited commissioning provider, Haskell assists in modifying systems operations to perform optimally for the application and extend the life of the building components. Our team evaluates existing plant equipment and HVAC systems and provides recommendations for controls modifications that will ensure peak efficiency.
Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)
Healthcare-related research from the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® program indicates that energy consumption in hospitals is much higher than other types of buildings, primarily due to the demands of air exchange and filtration and continuous operating hours. Inefficient equipment and processes are a burden on critical resources.
Through ECMs, Performance Contracting services, and EPA’s ENERGY STAR® program, we help hospitals achieve up to 25% energy savings on select systems and reduce operations and maintenance costs. As part of calculating your return on investment, we identify potential Performance Contracts to purchase energy-saving equipment and upgrade processes as a creative way to avoid capital outlay.
Through new controls sequence of operations and modern energy-efficient equipment upgrades, we help clients achieve electric energy savings, conserve water, and evaluate renewable energy opportunities. The goal of EPA’s ENERGY STAR® certification is to determine the relative energy performance of facilities, including hospitals. Haskell’s engineers are familiar with the EPA Portfolio Manager, the tool used to measure the electrical and water consumption of a building. This tool benchmarks a facility’s consumption against similar facilities, providing a way to measure and improve energy efficiency and improve the bottom line of hospital operations.
Haskell’s team of engineers knows the complex issues facing healthcare. We are leading the way on analysis, reporting, and prioritization, and we bring innovative solutions to risk assessment and energy conservation. It’s no secret that healthcare is experiencing tremendous change. Prioritizing systems infrastructure investment is vital to success in reducing operating expense and cost of care.
Charlie Hall is skilled in complex healthcare campus engineering infrastructure and works effectively with architects and other engineers to integrate engineering systems into the total project design. His expertise in commissioning gives him a holistic view of complex systems, maximizing the potential for energy savings on our projects.
