The American Hospital Association estimates that the U.S. has 924,000 hospital beds, or fewer than three beds for every 1,000 people. Less than 5% of those beds can be used for intensive-care patients.
If, as Array Advisors predicts, most states will run out of available ICU beds by the middle of this month, repurposing hotels as temporary healthcare facilities becomes more viable, even necessary, by the day.
Tvsdesign, whose team is currently the design architect on the 1.2-million-sf Javits Center expansion in New York, has put together a checklist for when hotel-to-hospital conversion options make sense (see infographic below).
The firm also has analyzed three scenarios, based on patient needs and how they can be matched with available hotels.
• Scenario 1: Non-COVID-19 positive patients in recovery from surgeries/illnesses who don’t require life-support equipment. These patients could be relocated to appropriate facilities to free up hospital beds for meeting demands related to COVID-19.
• Scenario 2: Non-COVID-19 positive patients in recovery that require specialized and powered equipment.
• Scenario 3: COVID-19 positive patients in treatment.
The firm observes that some hotels will work better than others in supporting each scenario. Cleanable surfaces, mechanical and electrical systems, nurse-call devices, and handwash sinks are all factors that might need to be added to any hotel conversion.
Tvsdesign has identified hotel room types that can support these patient scenarios, ranging from 300 to 1,000 sf of space used per patient. For instance, a standard 300-sf King Suite room in a hotel might be a best-use case for Scenario 1; a 500-sf King Suite, with additional power, could support Scenarios 1 and 2. The latter suite setup, with a full kitchen, would allow family members to stay full time with patients, and allow for the patient to have an extended recovery period.
Option three would be a 600-sf standard King that could work for Scenario 3. A connecting room could be used as an ante room to maintain necessary pressure levels in the isolation room, and act as a nurse’s station. Before any conversion, the owner should consult with a mechanical engineer for adjustments to the room’s HVAC system.
Option 4, a 1,000-sf King Suite with the same setup as Option 3, also works for Scenario 3.
“Based on our analysis, we believe that hotels can easily be used to care for COVID-19 negative patients who may be in recovery and not requiring intensive care,” states tvsdesign. “The most practical and cost-effective approach is to divert patients from hospitals to hotel rooms as possible, increasing capacity within hospitals for the most critically ill patients.”
(CLICK INFOGRAPHIC TO ACCESS FULL-SIZE VERSION)
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Mar 20, 2020
Extending care capacity as COVID-19 grows
Coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the U.S. healthcare system. LEO A DALY’s health practice leader offers some innovative ideas for expanding access.
Coronavirus | Mar 19, 2020
Positive vibes: Let's take a look at the brighter side of these crazy times
Perhaps now is a good time to take a page from Monty Python's book and look on the bright side of life. So let's push aside the doom and gloom for a bit and bring a little positivity to these strange times we all currently find ourselves in.
Coronavirus | Mar 19, 2020
Force Majeure and COVID-19 in construction contracts - What you need to know
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all taking a closer look at many portions of our contracts.
Coronavirus | Mar 19, 2020
Technology crucial during COVID-19 social distancing
Technology can help bridge the gap during the Coronavirus pandemic as higher education institutes and corporations are moving to a remote work model.
Coronavirus | Mar 18, 2020
Coronavirus latest: Short-term pain but strong rebound likely, says Oxford Economics
Once the disruption and uncertainty fade, the rebound in global economic activity will be strong. It’s important for firms to position themselves for such a recovery.
Coronavirus | Mar 18, 2020
We are in the midst of a paradigm shift for higher education
The question for higher education is, what will the university of the future look like?
Coronavirus | Mar 17, 2020
AIA: Design services saw increase in February, but economic footings are rapidly shifting
"The rapid pull-back in activity throughout the economy will obviously be felt in the design and construction sector, and architecture firms will be one of the first to see how these events play out,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD.
Coronavirus | Mar 17, 2020
AGC to government officials: Shutting down construction projects is an unnecessary step
Construction firms are already taking steps to protect employees, most of whom already wear protective equipment, while halting work will undermine efforts to add hospital capacity.
Coronavirus | Mar 16, 2020
Boston mayor orders shut down of construction sites due to coronavirus
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has ordered that all construction projects in the city be suspended in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus | Mar 16, 2020
Effective remote workforce: Key steps and strategies for success
As the potential scope of the COVID-19 outbreak has become more clear in the United States and Canada, public and private organizations from all industries, sectors and geographies are encouraging their teams to work remotely to reduce the spread of the virus.
