DALLAS-One of the most important elements of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the concept of accountable care organizations. ACOs, which are networks of doctors and hospitals that share responsibility for providing care to patients, will determine the future design of healthcare real estate, according to experts who spoke at the 2011 Medical Office Buildings & Healthcare Facilities Conference.

Nearly 700 healthcare real estate executives attended the conference sponsored by the Building Owners & Managers Association and held at Hyatt Regency Downtown. The idea of ACOs was discussed during the general session titled: “Anatomy of a Trend: Assessing Future Demand for In and Outpatient Facilities.” Anne Barbour, vice president and national asset manager for Healthcare Realty, moderated the panel.

“ACOs will drive the plans and the funding for future facilities,” said Dr. Connie Curran, president of healthcare consulting firm Curran Associates and a panelist. Other panelists included: Michael Arvin, healthcare consultant, Graham Reeve, CEO of Baptist Health System and Walter Jones, senior vice president of facilities planning & development for Parkland Health & Hospital System.

While healthcare providers are still trying to figure out how to implement ACOs, one thing is certain, according to the panelists – future healthcare facilities need to make the delivery of healthcare easier. Jones said Parkland is building its new 2 million-square-foot replacement hospital with an eye toward efficiency. “We want to make sure the facility doesn’t get in the way like is does now,” he explained.

Flexible, multi-purpose space is critical to the ACO model, Curran noted. She added that healthcare facilities, particularly acute care facilities, will no longer build rooms that are appropriate for single tasks. Instead, rooms will be generic, which will allow them to be used more frequently and more efficiently.

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