Aging Hospitals: A Growing Crisis

May 16, 2025

Guest

Patrick Casey

Jeff O'Neill, Vice President at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital; Chad Kruse, Executive Director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; Steve Van Ness, Vice President at CREF; and Patrick Casey, Senior VP at Harris Health System, dive into the pressing challenges of aging hospitals. They discuss how outdated infrastructure leads to safety risks and decreased patient satisfaction. The guests share innovative solutions, emphasize strategic planning, and highlight the need for modernization to enhance patient care and address workforce struggles in healthcare.

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ANECDOTE

Fighting for Bed Renovations

Jeff O'Neill fights for essential bed renovations in a busy hospital operating above capacity.
He battles infrastructure challenges like outdated plumbing and air systems to improve patient rooms permanently.

INSIGHT

Structural Limits of Old Hospitals

Many hospitals built before current codes struggle to support modern healthcare needs.
Structural limits, such as insufficient floor-to-ceiling height, hinder upgrades and patient room redesigns.

ADVICE

Get Leadership Buy-In with Data

Conduct detailed facility condition assessments to measure deferred maintenance.
Secure leadership and board buy-in with clear capital plans prioritizing infrastructure needs.

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Aging hospital buildings are creating mission-critical challenges in healthcare. Many facilities, built 40 to 60 years ago, struggle to support today’s high-tech, high-acuity environments—leading to disruptions in patient care, safety risks, and increased stress on healthcare teams. Outdated infrastructure also impacts patient satisfaction, with studies showing a 22% drop in scores at visibly aging facilities.

Welcome to the Healthcare Facilities Network, the podcast where top healthcare facilities experts tackle the pressing issues of aging infrastructure and its impact on modern care. From innovative solutions to real-world success stories, we provide actionable insights to help healthcare leaders future-proof their environments and improve outcomes.

Whether you're a facility manager, healthcare administrator, or industry enthusiast, this is your go-to resource for the challenges and opportunities shaping hospital environments. Tune in and join the conversation about building the future of healthcare—one facility at a time.

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👥 Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-martin-6284363b/

Today's Guests:
👥 Connect with Stephen W. Van Ness | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-w-van-ness-a8356017/

👥 Connect with Jeff O'Neill | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-o-neill-a848403/

👥 Connect with Chad Kruse | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-kruse-6714b47/

👥 Connect with Patrick M Casey, MBA, AIA, ACHE | https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickcaseyaia/

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