The booming medical office sector has lured investors over the last year as the overall office market continues to slump — but owning and operating these buildings comes with its own set of challenges.

Medical office buildings have radically different construction protocols than traditional office properties, for starters, says Cushman & Wakefield's Jennifer Seiler. Infection control risk assessments are necessary to identify potential hazards all construction projects in MOBs — whether carpet replacements or total remodels — could pose to patients, visitors, and staff. And control measures should be clearly communicated to contractors to ensure risks are minimized.

Medical office buildings also have greater demands on their HVAC and plumbing systems than traditional offices: "After all, reducing airborne disease risk by filtering air and providing sinks for handwashing in every exam room is imperative," Seiler says. "A comprehensive preventative maintenance plan must be in place to confirm all equipment is maintained per the strictest manufacturers' specifications as any downtime due to equipment failure impacts patient care."