Studies reveal more than 40 million Americans are managing some form of mental health concern. Thankfully, the concerns about the treatment of mental health are being heard now perhaps more than ever. However, traditional hospitals often are ill-equipped to handle the growing, distinctive requirements to manage behavioral health clientele. Consequently, healthcare systems, medical professionals and government entities are working to meet this challenge head on and looking to the construction industry to help by building behavioral health facilities that specifically address the unique needs of this population.
Recent studies by the American Hospital Association show behavioral health facilities and centers are the second most common type of specialty hospital construction projects. Clients want behavioral health facilities that are increasingly complex and highly secure but also warm, open and “non-institutional.” This is a far cry from the “psychiatric hospitals” of the past, which were often state-funded and designed to confine those with mental health problems. For new and renovated structures, clients are asking now for patient-centric specialized care facilities that are safe, functional and aesthetically pleasing.
When constructing these facilities, builders must ensure that their work delivers what the client needs in terms of flexibility, durability and safety. Some of the specialty features in behavioral healthcare construction may include increased height ceilings made of drywall instead of acoustical tile, special sensors on doors and walls to detect excess weight and non-glass windows. This must be achieved while still making the space look open, attractive and soothing.
How can this be accomplished? Early planning is the key to success. During the planning stage, the team must think through every scenario to ensure patient safety. This includes eliminating the possibility for patients to harm themselves, such as installing cover plates and fixtures with security fasteners and sealed with security sealants; anti-ligature hardware; or pre-action fire protection systems with security heads. While these kinds of extra security measures are necessary, they can present a significant issue for construction if changes need to be made after design is complete and during the construction phase.
For behavioral health projects, tools like building information modeling (BIM) are essential. For example, on The Christman Company’s project for Universal Health Services/Beaumont Behavioral Health in Dearborn, Michigan, a 3D virtual mockup was developed to allow the team to proactively locate all the devices and areas that would need added security measures in the facility. The model allowed ample opportunity to review and revise the specialized layout required to ensure that no details were missed before construction started.
Once construction starts, safety and security issues become even more critical. Working on an occupied site is a challenge for any healthcare project, but when it involves a behavioral health facility, a multifaceted approach during construction is often necessary.
For the team working on Christman’s project at the Franklin Medical Center Behavioral Health Expansion for Duke LifePoint Healthcare in Louisburg, North Carolina, this involved strict coordination of activities with the owner and constant oversight of certain construction activities for the duration of the project. One of these measures included constructing and then removing temporary provisions daily.
When these types of plans are made early in the construction process, they are less expensive to implement. This requires a more mindful approach to behavioral healthcare construction projects and what it takes to create healing, calming environments.
Brian Crissman
Vice President of National Healthcare Services