How Trace Consultants is Partnering with Architectural Firms and State Building Authorities to Bridge Operational Capability Gaps in Healthcare Facilities
The design and construction of large-scale healthcare facilities are becoming more complex as hospitals and health services seek to balance clinical needs with operational efficiency. Traditionally, the focus of healthcare infrastructure projects has been on patient-facing spaces—wards, operating theatres, and emergency departments—while the back-of-house (BOH) logistics, which ensure the smooth flow of supplies, staff, and services, have often been overlooked.
However, a shift is occurring as architectural firms and state building authorities increasingly recognise the critical role that BOH logistics play in the overall performance of healthcare facilities. These stakeholders are engaging Trace Consultants to bring an operational perspective to the design process, ensuring that logistics, supply chains, and facility flows are optimised from the outset.
Using their BOH Logistics Excellence Framework, Trace Consultants are leading the charge in bridging the gap between architectural design and healthcare operations, ensuring that hospitals are built to function seamlessly and efficiently.
The Need for an Operational Perspective in Healthcare Facility Design
Hospitals are unique environments where operational efficiency directly impacts patient care. Whether it’s ensuring that medical consumables are available when needed, that food and linen services are delivered on time, or that waste is removed in a safe and timely manner, the logistics behind the scenes are critical to the overall functioning of the facility. Yet, these operational considerations are often given less priority during the planning and design phases of new healthcare developments.
This is where the expertise of Trace Consultants becomes invaluable. By working closely with architects and state building authorities, Trace Consultants ensure that operational requirements—such as the movement of goods, waste, and people—are factored into the overall facility design. Their focus on BOH logistics helps avoid common pitfalls such as congestion in service corridors, inefficiencies in loading dock management, or inadequate space for central and bulk stores, all of which can lead to higher operational costs and disruptions in service delivery.
Trace Consultants’ BOH Logistics Excellence Framework
The Trace Consultants Healthcare Supply Chain Excellence Framework (as illustrated in the attached diagram) provides a holistic approach to designing healthcare facilities that function efficiently from both a clinical and operational perspective. The framework spans multiple layers, from physical design and planning to execution and operational enablers, ensuring that every aspect of hospital logistics is considered.
- Physical Design Considerations
The framework highlights the critical physical design elements that contribute to an efficient healthcare facility, including:- Loading Dock Management & Flow Paths: Ensuring that the flow of goods, supplies, and waste in and out of the hospital is smooth and efficient.
- Ward Layout & Storage Options: Designing wards with appropriate storage solutions for medical supplies and equipment to reduce delays in care.
- Central and Bulk Stores: Allocating space for central stores to hold essential supplies, reducing the need for frequent restocking.
- Other BOH Services: Effective management of services such as laundry, waste, and parking facilities, all of which impact the day-to-day operation of the hospital.
- Planning and Operational Design
Planning forms the backbone of the framework, ensuring that operations are aligned with clinical service delivery:- Demand Planning & Replenishment: Effective planning for the supply of medical consumables, pharmaceuticals, and other critical supplies.
- Clinical Service Offering & Activity-Based Funding: Integrating operational planning with clinical service offerings to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
- Central Purchases & Clinical Preferences: Managing procurement to align with both clinical preferences and cost considerations.
- Sourcing & Supplier Management: Establishing reliable supplier relationships to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality goods and services.
- Execution
In the execution phase, the framework ensures that hospital services are delivered seamlessly:- Laundry, Waste, and Kitchen Services: Coordinating BOH services such as laundry, waste management, and food preparation to support patient care.
- Dock to Ward Flow & Cost to Serve: Streamlining the movement of goods from the loading dock to wards to reduce delays and minimise costs.
- Workforce Scheduling: Ensuring that staff are deployed efficiently to meet the hospital’s operational needs.
- Surgeon and Clinician Experience: Supporting clinicians by ensuring that the necessary equipment and supplies are available when needed, allowing them to focus on patient care.
- Enablers
The success of any healthcare facility depends on its infrastructure and operational enablers:- Infrastructure: Designing facilities with adequate infrastructure to support logistics operations.
- People: Training and deploying skilled staff who understand the complexities of healthcare logistics.
- Process: Implementing efficient processes that streamline operations and minimise waste.
- Technology: Leveraging technology to automate supply chain processes and improve real-time visibility of inventory and logistics.
- Data: Using data analytics to optimise operations and make informed decisions.
Addressing Capability Gaps in Healthcare Infrastructure
Architectural firms and state building authorities have traditionally focused on the physical aspects of healthcare facility design—structural layout, patient flow, and aesthetics. However, there is growing recognition that these designs must be informed by the realities of hospital operations, particularly in BOH logistics. Trace Consultants have become a trusted partner in bridging this gap, providing an operational perspective that ensures the facility will function as efficiently as it looks.
Loading Dock Management & Flow Paths
One of the most overlooked aspects of hospital design is the flow of goods into and out of the facility. Inefficient loading dock management can lead to delays in the delivery of critical supplies, congestion in service corridors, and increased operational costs. By incorporating efficient flow paths into the design, Trace Consultants help hospitals reduce bottlenecks and ensure that supplies reach their intended destinations quickly and efficiently.
Ward Layout & Storage Options
Poorly designed ward layouts can lead to inefficient workflows and delays in patient care. Trace Consultants work with architects to ensure that each ward is equipped with appropriate storage solutions for medical supplies and equipment, allowing clinical staff to access what they need quickly and without disruption to patient care.
Central and Bulk Stores
Effective inventory management is critical in healthcare, where having the right supplies at the right time can make a significant difference in patient outcomes. Trace Consultants ensure that central and bulk stores are strategically located within the hospital, allowing for easy access and reducing the need for frequent restocking.
How Trace Consultants Add Value
By applying their BOH Logistics Excellence Framework, Trace Consultants add significant value to healthcare infrastructure projects. Their deep understanding of supply chain logistics, combined with their ability to work alongside architects and building authorities, ensures that hospitals are designed not only to meet clinical needs but also to function efficiently from an operational perspective.
Some key areas where Trace Consultants provide value include:
- Optimising Flow Paths: Reducing congestion and ensuring smooth movement of goods and people throughout the facility.
- Enhancing Efficiency: Identifying and addressing potential bottlenecks before they become operational issues.
- Improving Sustainability: Implementing strategies for waste minimisation, local sourcing, and sustainable supply chain practices.
- Ensuring Compliance: Designing facilities that meet all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
As healthcare facilities become larger and more complex, the need for an operational perspective in their design becomes increasingly apparent. Trace Consultants, with their BOH Logistics Excellence Framework, are playing a key role in ensuring that hospitals and health facilities are not only designed for clinical excellence but also for operational efficiency. By working closely with architectural firms and state building authorities, Trace Consultants help bridge the gap between design and operations, ensuring that new healthcare facilities are equipped to deliver world-class care from the moment they open their doors.
