Chris Jann of Wold on Trends, Technology and the Evolution of High-Performing Healthcare Environments

In April Wold Architects & Engineers announced Chris Jann as a Healthcare Business Development Leader in the company’s Minneapolis office.  

A 30-year veteran of some of the world’s largest multidisciplinary design organizations and architectural firms across the country, Jann has honed a unique perspective on client needs and sharp insights on the delivery of high-performing healthcare environments. After serving in senior roles at Introba, HDR and Ellerbe Becket, Jann said two significant factors brought him to the firm 

“The first is the way they embrace technology in every aspect of their business operations. Of course, all firms are using design software to deliver projects, but Wold is going beyond that with tools that enable the team to deliver higher-quality client projects more efficiently,” Jann said. “The second factor … is the quality of people. I have never been in a company where there is so much laughter and joy. I believe a big part of that is because the team feels they are being heard. Leadership listens.” 

Jann spoke with Healthcare Construction + Operations News (HCO) about the trends and tech he’s watching and how the concept of a “high-performing healthcare environment” has rapidly evolved.  

HCO: You’re known for translating market intelligence into actionable strategy. What healthcare market trends should providers and design firms be paying the closest attention to right now?  

Jann: Mergers and acquisitions are a part of everyday life in the healthcare market. C-Suite executives continuously scan the competitive landscape for opportunities to expand their market share or enhance departments that generate the highest revenue. Specific service-oriented standalone facilities are becoming more prevalent, so systems are looking for holes in the market where a new specialized facility would prove profitable. These facilities range widely in the services they provide, but several examples include free-standing emergency departments, rehabilitation hospitals and orthopedic practice facilities. These projects are also driven by specialized physician groups like orthopedic surgeons, but developed by real estate and construction companies. Our job as a design firm is to understand this trend and anticipate the spatial needs of the practitioners who will use these spaces so they can provide the best care possible.  

Larger healthcare systems are also surveying the rural healthcare ecosystem, looking for regional facilities that are performing well and have the potential to bring them a new geography of clients. This is putting even more pressure on rural hospitals, which rely on outside grant funding for a substantial part of their revenue stream. These “grants and funding sources” are very competitive among rural healthcare providers, and so they must often rely on philanthropy and the communities they serve to help balance the budget. Relying on these sources of funding makes it difficult to maintain existing facilities, much less build new, modern ones. 

HCO: Healthcare systems are navigating financial pressure, workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and shifting care models. How can design firms help clients succeed in this increasingly complex environment? 

Jann: Partnership is everything. Understanding these pressures is the first step, and proactive listening and research are crucial to helping us respond to the specific problems these systems face. Large healthcare systems have sophisticated internal facilities management teams, design groups and real estate departments, whose job it is to stay current on trends and changes in technology. They also have a stable of trusted consultants to turn to when it comes to delivering design and construction projects. Most rely on architectural firms like Wold to develop their systems-wide master plans and individual campus master plans. When we’re tasked with this, we start with research: our team evaluates the physical status of the owners’ facilities to establish a baseline of needs, and makes informed recommendations from there. In an environment where time and resources are extremely limited, starting with the facts allows us to guide smarter decisions and planning. The quality of these plans can make or break the success of any project. Our goal is to function as a true partner and a seamless extension of our clients’ in-house teams.  

HCO: What differentiates a “high-performing healthcare environment” today compared with even five or ten years ago? 

Jann: Almost every aspect of running a healthcare system has changed over recent years. From the automated distribution of pharmaceuticals to the use of robotic-assisted platforms such as the da Vinci Surgical System, automation is everywhere. From the first scanning of the bar code on the wristband patients are given upon arrival, to a barcode being scanned as they leave, everything is tracked and checked. Healthcare organizations must keep up with today’s standards of care, or the doors will be closed. But technology isn’t cheap, and some providers just don’t have the revenue stream to maintain operations.  

HCO: Technology is becoming central to both care delivery and facility operations. How do you see AI, smart building systems, and digital planning tools shaping future healthcare projects? 

Jann: More and more repetitive, mundane tasks are being completed through nonhuman means. At the same time, highly sophisticated tasks are being augmented by robotics. Artificial “smart” systems will continue to learn human processes and make enhancements unseen today. Flexibility and agility will be the mantra for architectural designs. For the owner and the architect, continuous learning will be the standard. Planning flexible spaces that can support technological implementation in the future, even if we aren’t exactly sure what it looks like, is crucial.  

HCO: Looking ahead over the next three to five years, what is your vision for Wold’s healthcare practice, and where do you see the biggest growth opportunities?  

Jann: With the advent of new tools, I believe we will be more focused on “Forecast Design,” which is often called future-proofing healthcare facilities. Everything we plan and design must be flexible when implemented. As a firm, we are committed to embracing change and to serving as knowledge leaders when it comes to implementing technology changes in the healthcare environment. No longer is the surgical team restricted to just those who are physically in the room. Surgeons can participate in a procedure from the other end of the country. Additionally, with the ever-evolving understanding of our own genetics, preventative healthcare will become a larger part of medical practice, and facilities will need to adapt. New imaging tools and robotic-assisted surgery equipment that support this will need to be accommodated, and our healthcare facilities are equipped with designs to do just that.  

Simply put, technology changes drive practice changes, which drive physical facility changes. Technology, along with the consolidation of the market, will be major drivers for future healthcare architecture in the US.   

The post Chris Jann of Wold on Trends, Technology and the Evolution of High-Performing Healthcare Environments appeared first on HCO News.

The post Chris Jann of Wold on Trends, Technology and the Evolution of High-Performing Healthcare Environments appeared first on HCO News.