78X - Caught In the Balance: An Owner’s Perspective on Quality, Risk and Reward

Wednesday, March 22

9:00–10:30 a.m.

Atrium Health is investing over $2 billion in the construction of new hospitals. This session will examine Atrium Health as a case study and review best practices and proven methodologies, including target value design and Lean construction, used on these projects. Specifically, this session will provide the perspective of clinical nursing and facilities operations and the difficult decisions made to ensure that the projects stayed within budget.

Utilizing Lean tools and techniques, clinicians from multiple facilities were brought together to define existing practices and then, led by experienced facilitators, developed improved processes to be implemented in the new facilities. Tools and techniques included 3P Events, clinical observations, shadowing, and patient/family journeys. These sessions then led to the development of requirements and standards.

Weighing quality, cost (first and life cycle), and risk is a huge challenge for our project teams. Presenters will provide participants with examples from three different perspectives: clinical, facility operations and project management. Team organization, communication and a solid decision-making process is critical. Atrium Health created cluster groups, executive oversight committees and a decision-making process that includes the use of “A3s.” Teams must include subject matter experts, and owners need to be involved in each cluster meeting. Implementing the TVD process includes creating an environment of constant improvement, utilizing data, experience and best practice to drive decisions.

Learning Objectives

• Understand clinical perspective in ongoing new hospital design and construction and facility operations risks in ongoing new hospital design.
• Evaluate methods for containing costs while implementing quality and analyze team structure and decision-making processes.