Key competencies in facilities consulting

Consulting in health care facilities management is no ordinary job. Hospitals are complex, highly regulated, patient-focused environments. To succeed, consultants must master technical, regulatory, operational and interpersonal competencies.

The core of health care facilities management is the patient. Recommendations should always prioritize patient outcomes, whether planning infrastructure improvements or advising on processes.

1. In health care facilities, codes and standards govern nearly every aspect of their operations. Consultants must understand guidelines from organizations like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Preparing for inspections and addressing compliance issues is critical to ensuring survey-readiness and safety.

2. Hospitals operate 24/7, often during natural disasters and power outages. Consultants need expertise in emergency preparedness, including life safety systems and defend-in-place strategies.

3. Consultants also should understand the specialized infrastructure within health care facilities, such as medical gas systems and backup power generators. Grasping these systems’ interdependence and redundancy helps ensure reliability.

4. Health care projects require careful planning to minimize disruptions to patient care. Consultants must effectively manage scope, budgets and schedules while coordinating with clinical staff and contractors. By applying continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and six sigma, consultants can identify inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.

5. Effective communication is vital for working with diverse teams. Consultants must collaborate with clinicians, support staff, contractors and others, translating complex technical details into actionable plans.

Hospitals are dynamic and fast-paced, with shifting priorities. Consultants must remain flexible in this complex field to successfully play their role in keeping hospitals safe, efficient and compliant.

Lindsey Brackett, CHFM, CHC, CHOP, CSSBB, SASHE, is chief empowerment officer at Legacy FM.