As a result of the past couple of years, the healthcare construction space has encountered many roadblocks. This is whilst attempting to get projects back on track and moving toward completion. From supply chain shortages and rising prices of equipment to issues with finding staff and increased demand – these issues have forced the healthcare construction space to think of innovative ways to rise to the challenge and overcome them.

The healthcare construction space has been striking back against these issues. Devising and implementing brand-new trends to make construction projects more straightforward, and safer for workers and patients. After all, not only do trends make construction work more manageable, but they also offer several other benefits.

Yet, with so many populating the industry, how do you know which are more popular than others? To help you decide, we outline some of the rapidly emerging trends in the healthcare construction space as of 2023, from increased technological input through construction technology tools like healthcare project management software to an improved environmental focus. Keep reading to find out more.

Reviewing Their Safety Procedures

As you can imagine, being on a busy building site surrounded by heavy machinery, power tools, and other building materials isn’t one of the safest occupations. Due to this, the construction industry is reported to be one of the most dangerous industries to work in, with many accidents proving to result in life-altering injuries or, worst-case scenario, death.

To prevent tragedy, the construction industry has had to devise new ways to ensure the safety of its workers. These include the development and implementation of technology designed to make construction sites safer. Some of the most notable safety advancements are drones that allow workers to carry out inspections without putting themselves at risk, the digitalization of safety processes, wearables that monitor workers’ safety, more robust on-site training, and much more. All of which has made it easier for staff to follow and maintain safety procedures while working.

Increased Technological Integration

Our personal and professional spheres are rapidly becoming more digitalized, with technology paving the way across hundreds of industries with an impact that even the healthcare construction space hasn’t been able to avoid. As a result, the construction industry has seen the introduction of various new-age tools, software, robotics, and much more, which are quickly getting embraced by all construction businesses.

Some of the most popular technological advances the construction industry has seen in 2023 are drones, construction scheduling software, virtual reality (VR), building information modelling (BIM) software, artificial intelligence, and even healthcare construction management software. The latter is one of the most influential trends in the past couple of years, with predicted continuous use in 2023. Since construction management software can be used in any setting, be it a hospital or a building site, it has quickly proven itself useful for growth and increased productivity/efficiency. Providers like Kahua specialize in different sectors, including healthcare. Consider visiting their website to learn more about the healthcare project management software trend.

Improved Focus On Sustainability

Although sustainability has been a principal focus for the healthcare sector for several years, it is only recently that the healthcare construction sector has increased its focus on being more environmentally friendly.

Since Millennials and Gen Z have a more increased focus on their carbon footprint, they are more likely to work for companies that share the same values and support those that do. For this reason and for the planet’s sake, construction companies have increased their efforts to reduce their work’s effect on the surrounding environment. Some of the most notable ways that construction companies include implementing sustainable practices. These include using suitable materials, disposing of waste correctly, trying to reuse materials where possible, going paperless, making projects more efficient, building greener supply chains, and much more.

Purchasing Better Building Materials

As we touched upon in our introduction, rising costs are one of the most significant issues the healthcare construction sector has had to overcome, with one of the most considerable costs being purchasing building materials. As a result, a trend of buying better, more advanced building materials has arisen, which are more effective and hard-wearing than traditional building materials.

Slowly these materials have become more cost-effective than traditional building materials, making them more viable for construction businesses in the healthcare sector. Due to the demand for more affordable, advanced building materials, construction businesses can now choose from various options when sourcing materials. Some of the most popular options are graphene and calcium silicate board, made from natural materials such as clay, carbon, lime, and sand, with several valuable properties. From being more environmentally friendly to be more lightweight than traditional building materials – the price isn’t the only selling point for the healthcare construction space.

There you have it, a few trends that are likely to rapidly emerge in the healthcare construction space throughout this year.