Building and renovating healthcare facilities in the coming years presents a unique challenge. It's about finding that perfect balance where employee retention, quality patient care, and the bottom line all align. As we look ahead to 2025, several factors are converging, including a critical healthcare worker shortage, the existence of "healthcare deserts," and the ever-expanding AI boom. Architects must embrace sophisticated AI and integrate it into design and operations to meet these challenges.

Redefining Healthcare Facility Design for the Future

Incorporating AI for Streamlined Operations

Currently, healthcare facilities mainly use AI data and analysis to predict bottlenecks and ensure proper staffing. However, in 2025 and beyond, there is tremendous potential to incorporate AI tools and infrastructure into building design. During renovations and new builds, significant space must be allocated for both current and future IT needs, including the future of AI-assisted robotics.AI can enhance building efficiency by streamlining energy use and system performance. Data-driven AI can also monitor, track, and predict trends and anomalies in various aspects such as operations, occupancy, and traffic flow. In an instant, AI technology can provide answers and potential solutions to a wide range of questions, such as whether patient stays are increasing, occupancy is reduced, ventilation is blowing into an unused conference room, or procedures are on time.On the robotics front, 2025 building design needs to accommodate a variety of AI-assisted tools. Some healthcare facilities have already incorporated autonomous pharmacies and spaces for surgeons to train on AI-assisted devices. Given the predicted staff shortage of 100,000 workers by 2028, technology will play a more significant role in the years to come. AI will be incorporated into building structures, with sensors that can detect if a patient has fallen. There will also be areas for AI robots to roam the halls, performing support roles like cleaning corridors and rooms or delivering items to patient rooms. Designers are rethinking layouts and getting creative in implementing cutting-edge technologies, separating robot traffic from human movement with a "backstage" approach.

Shifting Building Footprints for Better Patient Access

In 2025, patient experience will depend on access to care. With 80% of US counties considered "healthcare deserts," pioneering and providing care in many parts of the country may involve downsizing and dispersing healthcare facilities. Designing several small clinics in different zip codes will allow patients to access primary care instead of relying on emergency care when there are no other options.Depending on the location and community needs, these small clinics can be flexible and include core healthcare services such as labs and imaging. With these tools available, the facilities can further serve as 24-hour ER facilities in addition to daytime clinics. In the case of a stroke or cardiac event that requires "golden hour" emergency care, proximity is crucial. These small, satellite clinic models shine in such situations, providing not only patient access but also life-saving opportunities.Flexible, smaller facilities are also contributing to addressing the country's behavioral health crisis. Like primary care clinics, outpatient facilities providing mental healthcare services are following the trend of smaller, geographically dispersed, and multi-use design.

Nurturing Staff Wellbeing

Frontline workers are prone to burnout, especially if they have no place to rest and recharge. With the looming labor shortage, healthcare facilities cannot afford to lose staff due to burnout. Creating welcoming spaces for employees to rest can play a significant role in retaining and supporting workers.While doctors were previously the main focus of break rooms, in 2025, these spaces will expand to support nurses and other staff. The movement to support employee wellbeing is also aligning with the biophilia design trend, incorporating nature-connecting elements into various environments. Biophilia in healthcare facilities has been shown to reduce stress, increase happiness, and enhance productivity.For this reason, the stark, sterile design of hospitals is giving way to a more natural approach. Biophilic design elements are appearing in staff break rooms, patient spaces, and visitor areas in various ways, such as using wooden ceilings instead of white epoxy. Manufacturers are focusing on cleanability and developing materials that require less maintenance and have better wear and tear characteristics.The takeaway is that whether it's pursuing high-tech solutions, tapping into natural elements, or focusing on smaller building sizes, the future of healthcare facility design is about improving patient access and nurturing employee retention. These people-centric trends, combined with the enormous AI potential to support all stakeholders, will require us to rethink the design and flexibility of front-of-house, backstage, and mechanical/IT spaces as we move into 2025 and beyond.