CHF Fall 2023

Canadian

HealthcareFacilities JOURNAL OF CANADIAN HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING SOCIETY

Volume 43 Issue 4

Fall/Automne 2023

GREENING HEALTHCARE

PM#40063056

Strategies to reduce embodied, operational carbon in facility designs

CHES honours 2023 awards recipients Long-term care design under the microscope Modular wall system integration in healthcare settings

HEALTHCARE HEALTHCARE VENTILATION SYSTEMS VENTILATION SYSTEMS What’s really in yours ?

What’s really in yours ?

We are pleased to announce that Ventcare now monitors hospitals the We are pleased50toplus announce thatinVentcare Ontario region.100 plus hospitals in the now monitors

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Labour Canada has fully “acknowledged” scopefully of Labour Canadathehas work provided inthethescope semi“acknowledged” of annual inspection program. work provided in the semiIn addition, the program. written annual inspection documentation contributes In addition, the written greatly to the hospital documentation contributes accreditation greatly to programs. the hospital

The location and inspection of the hospital

accreditation programs.

Further we are always pooling the knowledge resources Further we are always poolingof Infection Control and Engineering the knowledge resources of Groups CHES, ventilation Infectionlike Control and the Engineering inspection program is in a constant Groups like CHES, the ventilation evolution meet future needs for inspectiontoprogram is healthcare in a constant patients evolutionand to staff. meet future healthcare needs for patients and staff.

The location and inspection the Some hospital your building audit thisofyear. of ventilation fire dampers may be part of you have already taken advantage yourofbuilding auditsoftware this year. program Some of our new youwhich have already taken advantage in conjunction with our of patented our newrobotics, softwareallows program us which in conjunction with our to minimize ceiling access patented robotics, allows us requirements. to minimize ceiling access requirements.

To date, of the thousands of fire doors inspected To date, of the thousands approximately 30% are of fire dampersaccessible inspected not humanly approximately are from traditional30% ceiling not humanly accessible access points.

Our from traditional ceiling patented robot overcomes points.allowing Our thisaccess obstacle, patented robot overcomes complete documentation of all obstacle, allowing fire this doors within the ventilation complete documentation all system. Further, of the total,of7% fire dampers within the ventilation have been found defective, blocked system.

Further, of simply the total,closed 15% with wood, wired up, or have been found defective, blocked shutting off airflow. with wood, wired up, or simply closed shutting off airflow.

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CONTENTS

CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES Volume 43

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

4

Editor’s Note

6

President’s Message

22 Design Matters New study uncovers impact of renos on dementia patients in long-term care facilities

8

Chapter Reports

12

Conference Roundup

14

An Undertaking of Monumental Proportions Un projet de proportions monumentales

18 Worthy of Recognition Longest serving board member in B.C. chapter’s history honoured for contributions to healthcare engineering 20 A Notable First Maritime chapter has won the most President’s Awards ever

Clare Tattersall claret@mediaedge.ca

PUBLISHER/ÉDITEUR

Jason Krulicki jasonk@mediaedge.ca

PRESIDENT/PRÉSIDENT

Kevin Brown kevinb@mediaedge.ca

SENIOR DESIGNER/ CONCEPTEUR GRAPHIQUE SENIOR

Annette Carlucci annettec@mediaedge.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ GRAPHISTE

Thuy Huynh roxyh@mediaedge.ca

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR/ COORDINATEUR DE DE PRODUCTION

Ines Louis inesl@mediaedge.ca

28

DEPARTMENTS

CHES AWARDS

Issue 4

EDITOR/RÉDACTRICE

24 Rejuvenating Aging Infrastructure Ontario long-term care home puts residents, environment first 26 A Quiet Place Benefits of using sound attenuation modular containment walls in hospital renovations

CIRCULATION MANAGER/ Adrian Hollard DIRECTEUR DE LA circulation@mediaedge.ca DIFFUSION CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IS PUBLISHED BY UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE CANADIAN HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING SOCIETY. SCISS JOURNAL TRIMESTRIEL PUBLIE PAR SOUS LE PATRONAGE DE LA SOCIETE CANADIENNE D'INGENIERIE DES SERVICES DE SANTE.

CHES Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society

SCISS

Société canadienne d'ingénierie des services de santé

PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE 28 Care to Conserve Targeted energy efficiency solutions for building new, retrofitting existing healthcare facilities

Craig B. Doerksen Jim McArthur Roger Holliss Reynold J. Peters Beth Hall Tanya Hutchison

CHAPTER CHAIRS

Newfoundland & Labrador: Colin Marsh Maritime: Robert Barss Ontario: John Marshman Quebec: Mohamed Merheb Manitoba: Reynold J. Peters Saskatchewan: Melodie Young Alberta: James Prince British Columbia: Sarah Thorn FOUNDING MEMBERS

H. Callan, G.S. Corbeil, J. Cyr, S.T. Morawski CHES

4 Cataraqui St., Suite 310, Kingston, Ont. K7K 1Z7 Telephone: (613) 531-2661 Fax: (866) 303-0626 E-mail: info@ches.org www.ches.org Canada Post Sales Product Agreement No. 40063056 ISSN # 1486-2530

Reproduction or adoption of articles appearing in Canadian Healthcare Facilities is authorized subject to acknowledgement of the source. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society. For information or permission to quote, reprint or translate articles contained in this publication, please write or contact the editor.

Canadian Healthcare Facilities Magazine Rate Extra Copies (members only) $25 per issue Canadian Healthcare Facilities (non members) $30 per issue Canadian Healthcare Facilities (non members) $80 for 4 issues A subscription to Canadian Healthcare Facilities is included in yearly CHES membership fees.

La reproduction ou l’adaptation d’articles parus dans le Journal trimestriel de la Société canadienne d’ingénierie des services de santé est autorisée à la condition que la source soit indiquée. Les opinions exprimées dans les articles sont celles des auteurs, qui ne sont pas nécessairement celles de la Société canadienne d’ingénierie des services de santé. Pour information ou permission de citer, réimprimer ou traduire des articles contenus dans la présente publication, veuillez vous adresser à la rédactrice.

Prix d’achat du Journal trimestriel Exemplaires additionnels (membres seulement) $25 par numéro Journal trimestriel (non-membres) $30 par numéro Journal trimestriel (non-membres) $80 pour quatre numéros L’abonnement au Journal trimestriel est inclus dans la cotisation annuelle de la SCISS.

EDITOR'S NOTE

IMPROVING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE A FEW MONTHS AGO, my mom was diagnosed with skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma. While it came as a shock, the most frequently occurring form of all cancers is often easily treatment with surgical removal. I’m happy to say my mom is now free of the disease.

Learning of my mom’s diagnosis gave me pause. This isn’t the first person in my family to have cancer. My aunt passed away in June 2007, at the age of 55 from breast cancer, and my grandmother discovered she had leukemia shortly before she died seven years ago. Then there are friends who lost their lives to the disease, and others I know through association. As Dave Campbell put it when I chatted with him about Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) CHES award win, “Cancer touches so many lives, directly and indirectly.”

Once considered a disease of old age, the incidence of early onset cancers has dramatically increased worldwide. The trend of adults younger than 50 receiving diagnoses is disturbing; it, along with other factors, has spurred the development of cancer care facilities to support those afflicted by the insidious disease.

One such facility will soon open its doors in Alberta. Located in Calgary, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre will be the biggest cancer treatment and research facility in Canada, and the second largest in North America. The monumental project garnered this year’s Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management, which Campbell accepted on behalf of AHS during the 2023 CHES National Conference.

Two other awards were handed out at the conference’s gala banquet. Longtime B.C. chapter member Steve McTaggart was recognized with the Hans Burgers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare Engineering, and the Maritime chapter racked up another President’s Award win. You can read about their accomplishments, as well as Calgary’s new cancer centre, in this issue’s special CHES Awards section.

In addition to the awards, a key focus of the fall edition is facility management and design. My colleague Rebecca Melnyk delves into a recent study that uncovered the impact of renovations on dementia patients in long-term care homes. On the topic of these types of facilities, Jeff Weir of Trane shares a project at Albright Manor, which involved the rejuvenation of key HVAC equipment and controls, and other ancillary systems. Then, Elizabeth Lamb of Abatement Technologies explores the benefits of using sound attenuation modular containment walls in hospital renovations.

Rounding out this issue is our spotlight on sustainable healthcare. Care to Conserve is based on a joint presentation of sustainability trends in healthcare facilities that was given at the Alberta chapter’s spring conference by Entuitive’s Amy Rohof, Leanne Conrad and Heather Elliot.

I’d like to congratulate this year’s CHES awards recipients and thank everyone who has contributed editorial to the publication — past, present and future.

Clare Tattersall claret@mediaedge.ca

4 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

SAVE THE DATE! The 2024 CHES National Conference will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the Halifax Convention Centre, September 8-10, 2024. The Halifax Convention Centre is conveniently located in the downtown core and close to local amenities.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the following hotels: Cambridge Suites, starting at $205 plus applicable taxes standard queen/king single/double occupancy.

Prince George, starting at $245 plus applicable taxes for standard queen/king single/double occupancy.

The theme of the 2024 conference is “Enriching Patient Experiences by Optimizing the Environment” The CHES 2024 education program is well underway and will once again feature dual tracks with talks on relevant industry topics from high-profile experts in the field. Alan Mallory will be our Keynote Speaker.

The Great CHES Golf Tournament will be held at the Glen Arbour Golf Course on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Join us for the CHES President’s Reception and Gala Banquet at the Halifax Convention Centre. The banquet will celebrate the accomplishments of our peers with the 2024 CHES Awards presentations, while enjoying great food and entertainment with friends.

See you in 2024 in Halifax!

For more info visit our website at www.ches.org

Follow us on Twitter!

Joins us on!

@CHES_SCISS

@CHES_SCISS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

REFLECTIONS AND LOOKING FORWARD SEPTEMBER WAS A BUSY month with three events: the 2023 CHES National Conference, Saskatchewan chapter conference and trade show, and Quebec chapter souper-conférence (dinner conference). As I wrote in my last message, CHES members see these conferences as a reunion of sorts. They provide an opportunity for those in the healthcare industry to come together, learn, share and investigate how to make our healthcare system more efficient and effective, with the goal of improving the patient experience and healthcare outcomes.

While at the national conference in Winnipeg, the entire CHES board and four committee chairs gathered over two days for strategic planning sessions and meetings. I’ve had the honour of serving on the CHES National board under three previous presidents. We have built on this legacy of leadership and planning, and again this year we spent time reflecting on the organization that CHES has become and where it is going. We discussed how to make CHES more effective, which included an assessment of our leadership model, promote the value of CHES membership, and shape the future of our flagship Canadian Healthcare Construction Course (CanHCC). Time was also spent discussing goals and aspirations. To meet the ever-changing healthcare landscape, CHES must continue to grow, mature and expand. This requires the involvement and engagement of CHES members in national and chapter leadership roles and on committees. Look for ongoing dialogue, information and plans as CHES moves forward — together with you, its members.

This year’s national conference is now ‘in the books’ but there are still plenty of activities taking place. I attended the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) Congress in Mexico City Nov. 4-6, chaired by current IFHE president and former CHES president Steve Rees. Chapters across the country are planning next year’s conferences, and the CHES National conference planning committee, under the leadership of Robert Barss, is preparing the Maritime chapter to host the 2024 CHES National Conference in Halifax, Sept. 8-10. CHES’s webinar series, CanHCC sessions, social media platforms and regular e-blasts of timely news articles, as well as other partner organizations’ events promoted to CHES members, are significant value-added benefits.

And let’s not forget the enormous value found in our quarterly journal, Canadian Healthcare Facilities. It’s a forum to share your successes, learnings and challenges with design professionals and vendor teams, and internally with infection prevention and control, environmental services, laboratory and/or security teams at your facility. Reach out to the journal’s editor, Clare Tattersall, at claret@mediaedge.ca to relay your ideas to help impact Canada’s healthcare system.

Craig B. Doerksen CHES National president

EARN CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FROM CHES

Members of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society can earn free continuing education units (CEU) by reading the Fall 2023 issue of Canadian Healthcare Facilities and passing a quiz based on articles in the issue. Once you’ve read the issue from cover to cover, simply go online to www.surveymonkey.com/r/6QDKXP8 to take the quiz. CHES members who pass the quiz will be able to claim one contact hour (0.1 CEU) on their CanHCC or CCHFM certificate renewals.

6 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

According to the World Green Building Council, we spend 90 percent of our time indoors.

Given that statistic, it’s clear the quality of the air we breathe in buildings can dramatically impact our health and well-being. At Reliable Controls we believe sustainable buildings are a key component to reducing the health and environmental impacts of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Learn more reliablecontrols.com/IAQ

CHAPTER REPORTS

BRITISH COLUMBIA CHAP TER

ONTARIO CHAP TER

British Columbia has witnessed the most severe wildfire season to date. Several communities were evacuated this summer, resulting in the loss of more than 200 homes and structures. Statistics from the B.C. Wildfire Service are alarming; wildfires consumed more than 14,100 square kilometres of land, surpassing the previous record set in 2018 of just over 13,500 square kilometres.

These numbers are staggering. The impacts on our communities, families and friends are profound, and the repercussions are felt throughout the province’s healthcare facilities and public health system. As we move forward, the themes of climate change, resiliency and sustainability will be at the forefront. These topics will demand our attention as we learn valuable lessons from recent events and work toward implementing changes and updating standards.

The chapter’s next spring conference will be held in Whistler, B.C. Conference preparations, spearheaded by Mitch Weimer and the planning committee, are in full swing. The theme is Surviving and Thriving: Stories of Hope Amidst Disaster. The call for abstracts will go out soon.

The education committee is exploring the possibility of hosting a follow-up webinar to the conference, building upon the success of the panel discussion. The chapter executive believes this could serve as an excellent opportunity for members to reconnect and share insights.

CHES B.C. remains committed to increasing its membership and encouraging renewals for those who have lapsed. I am pleased to report membership executive director Arthur Buse has noted an increase in membership, totalling 365 members.

The chapter executive and members remain actively engaged in various committees, including support for CSA, partnership and advocacy, membership, social, standards and the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course.

I want to remind members of the educational opportunities available, such as the bursary program and CHES webinar series. Also, we recently closed an expression of interest for additional volunteers, as part of succession planning efforts. The chapter executive has reviewed submissions and will be extending invitations to those who expressed interest to participate in the conference planning process starting fall 2024.

The CHES Ontario family congregated at Caesars in Windsor, June 4-6, where we held our first in-person conference in four years. From Meg Soper’s engaging keynote to the gala banquet featuring homegrown talent, delegates, vendors and esteemed guests engaged around the theme, Engineering Sustainability and Resilience in Healthcare Facilities. The sense of connection was palpable to all in attendance as was the exchange of member expertise.

It was heartening to have so many first-time conference-goers and a pleasure to congratulate our Rick Anderson Family Bursary recipients in person. A big thanks to the planning committee and, in particular, Ron Durocher for executing a successful and truly enjoyable event. I’m excited not to wait another four years for our next chapter conference, planned for 2024 in Collingwood.

The chapter executive continues to meet quarterly via virtual means, focused on membership development and member benefits, including bursaries, the Young Professionals Grant and, of course, education offerings. Building on growth in membership over the past year, we are engaging in analytics work to better understand membership complexion and identify opportunities for further development. We are also engaged in long-range financial planning to continue to optimize member benefits with the resilience that served us well through the COVID pandemic.

We continue to engage in networking and advocacy opportunities. Chapter executives attended the ASHE Region 6 conference in Rochester, Minn., and the ASHE PDC summit in Phoenix, in March, as well as many of our peer chapter conferences in spring.

Thank you to our ASHE partners and host chapters for accommodating our participation.

—John Marshman, Ontario chapter chair

MANITOBA CHAP TER

The Saskatchewan chapter held its annual conference and trade show Sept. 10-12, in Saskatoon. The event provided informative educational sessions and networking opportunities. Forty delegates were in attendance, many working within the province’s healthcare system. I am proud of our planning committee for pulling off such a great and positive event.

With newer executive committee members, we are able to bring fresh eyes and voices to conversations about strengthening the Saskatchewan chapter. I look forward to those discussions as we continue to promote our membership and the benefits of CHES.

The Manitoba chapter was excited to host the 2023 CHES National Conference in Winnipeg, Sept. 17-19. The planning committee along with Events & Management Plus worked incredibly hard to ensure everyone had a great time at the event, highlighted by top-notch speakers, facility tours, social activities and incredible networking opportunities. We also hosted the two-day Canadian Healthcare Construction Course in conjunction with the Winnipeg Construction Association following the conference, Sept. 20-21.

It was an election year for the Manitoba chapter. No nominations were received for secretary, treasurer and vice-chair positions. Both current secretary and treasurer, Jeremy Kehler and James Kim, have agreed to stay on. Current vice-chair Troy Lycan was to move into the role of chair but he has taken a new job on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I wish Troy all the best and hope the B.C. chapter can take advantage of him being there.

A call for nominations has been sent out for the Manitoba chapter awards in the categories of project management and facility management. The awards will be presented at next year’s spring conference.

Information about the event to come as planning unfolds.

—Melodie Young, Saskatchewan chapter chair

—Reynold J. Peters, Manitoba chapter chair

—Sarah Thorn, British Columbia chapter chair

SA SK ATCHEWAN CHAP TER

8 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

CHAPTER REPORTS

ALBERTA CHAP TER

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CHAPTER

Summer proved to be difficult for Albertans due to an unprecedented surge in forest fires. The healthcare sector faced significant strain in managing emergency cases and providing necessary care. CHES members were active in collaborating with local authorities and healthcare facilities to ensure readiness and resilience in the face of these challenges.

Our spring conference was a success. Building on this positive momentum, the chapter has secured the same dates for the next conference, June 10-11, 2024, at the Red Deer Resort and Casino.

The Alberta chapter sponsored two members, Mike Koevoet and Michael Lang, to attend the 2023 CHES National Conference in Winnipeg, covering all expenses. This initiative aims to foster professional growth and knowledge exchange within the healthcare engineering community.

On a personal note, I am delighted to announce the successful completion of an Alberta Infrastructure-led project — a state-of-theart emergency department spanning 5,500 square metres at Edmonton’s Misericordia Community Hospital. This milestone marks a significant step forward in alleviating emergency wait times, addressing a pressing concern for the city and surrounding communities.

CHES Alberta remains committed to advancing healthcare engineering in Canada. The chapter executive extends our gratitude to all members for their dedication and contributions to the field, and looks forward to continued collaboration and progress in the coming months.

There has been chatter regarding hydrogen generation in rural parts of the island. This new industry will introduce construction and permanent maintenance jobs to areas that were dependent on shipbuilding and fish harvesting. There is new oil exploration taking place off the coast as parcels of the ocean floor are released to bidders. And similar to other provinces, we are experiencing a housing crisis, labour shortage and drug problems, among other issues. Healthcare-related, all four health authorities have amalgamated to form Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

The chapter pulled off the largest and most successful spring conference in its history. It was the most attended event with the highest number of vendors.

Chapter membership is holding steady. The executive team is actively pushing recruitment on vendors/suppliers, consultants and others to improve membership enrolment.

The chapter executive wants to invest in the betterment of members. Whether that involves offering education opportunities, sending additional members to the CHES National conference, paying for more webinars and/or supporting members who take on the role of chair of a national committee, we are committed.

Financially, the chapter is in a solid position. As in previous years, two members were sponsored to go to the CHES National conference, with all expenses paid. In total, five people went. It was exciting to attend once again in-person and see so many familiar faces.

—James Prince, Alberta chapter chair

—Colin Marsh, Newfoundland & Labrador chapter chair

CHES Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society

SCISS

Société canadienne d'ingénierie des services de santé

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS 2024 Hans Burgers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Healthcare Engineering DEADLINE: April 30, 2024

2024 Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management DEADLINE: April 30, 2024

To nominate: Please use the nomination form posted on the CHES website and refer to the Terms of Reference.

To nominate: Please use the nomination form posted on the CHES website and refer to the Terms of Reference.

Purpose: The award shall be presented to a resident of Canada as a mark of recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of healthcare engineering.

Purpose: To recognize hospitals or long-term care facilities that have demonstrated outstanding success in completion of a major capital project, energy efficiency program, environmental stewardship program or team building exercise.

Award sponsored by

Award sponsored by

For Nomination Forms, Terms of Reference, criteria and past winners www.ches.org / About CHES / Awards Send nominations to: CHES National Office info@ches.org FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 9

CHAPTER REPORTS

QUEBEC CHAP TER

CHAPITRE DU QUEBEC

During spring, CHES chapters nationwide successfully held in-person conferences, marking significant achievements. I had the privilege of attending the Ontario chapter conference, an enlightening experience that provided valuable insights for future endeavors within the Quebec chapter.

Many stakeholders from the Quebec healthcare system were present at the 2023 CHES National Conference in Winnipeg, with the aim of raising CHES awareness. Regrettably, I couldn’t attend for personal reasons, but please be rest assured of my unwavering dedication to supporting CHES. The Quebec chapter is committed to achieving the ambitious goal of reaching 100 members by 2024/2025. Concurrently, CHES Quebec is actively engaged in expanding its leadership team to contribute effectively to different national committees.

In June, the Quebec chapter hosted an in-person event — a dinner conference that explored the critical topic of anesthetic gas recovery in healthcare facilities. Another event was held in late September, which covered the conception and construction of a mobile sterilization unit for cleaning and disinfecting surgical instruments. The mobile medical device reprocessing unit was recognized by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies at both the provincial and national levels with awards.

One more event is scheduled for this year. It will take place Nov. 28, providing another opportunity to learn, network and exchange knowledge.

CHES is proactively building a robust communication platform using social media, including LinkedIn and Instagram, to enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. I urge everyone to follow these social media channels to stay up-to-date with the latest events and initiatives. Your support and involvement are invaluable as we continue to advance healthcare engineering in Canada.

Pendant printemps actif de 2023, les chapitres de la SCISS à l’échelle nationale ont organisé avec succès des conférences en présentiels, marquant des réalisations significatives. Personnellement, j’ai eu le privilège d’assister à la conférence du chapitre de l’Ontario, une expérience enrichissante qui a fourni des perspectives précieuses pour nos futurs projets au sein du Chapitre du Québec.

Bien que je regrette de ne pas avoir pu participer à la conférence nationale de cette année à Winnipeg pour des raisons personnelles, veuillez être assuré de mon dévouement à soutenir la SCISS dans toutes ses dimensions. De nombreux acteurs du système de santé du Québec étaient présents à la conférence nationale dans le but de sensibiliser à la présence de la SCISS. Comme mentionné précédemment, nous nous engageons à poursuivre notre objectif ambitieux d’atteindre 100 membres d’ici 2024/2025. Parallèlement, le chapitre du Québec s’engage activement à élargir son équipe d’exécutif pour contribuer efficacement à différents comités nationaux.

En juin 2023, le chapitre du Québec a organisé un événement en personne — une conférence-dîner qui a exploré le sujet critique de la récupération des gaz anesthésiques dans les établissements de santé.

Cela dit, un autre événement a eu lieu le 26 septembre 2023. Le sujet était unique et avait remporté de nombreux prix de l’Association des firmes de génie-conseil du Québec et du Canada en 2022. Il s’agissait de la conception et de la construction d’une unité de stérilisation mobile pour le nettoyage et la désinfection des instruments chirurgicaux.

Notre événement final de l’année est prévu pour le 8 novembre 2023, favorisant le réseautage et l’échange de connaissances.

De plus, la SCISS construit activement une plateforme de communication robuste sur les médias sociaux, notamment LinkedIn et Instagram, pour renforcer nos efforts de sensibilisation et d’engagement.

Nous vous encourageons à nous suivre sur ces plateformes pour rester informés de nos derniers événements et initiatives. Votre soutien et votre participation continus sont inestimables alors que nous continuons à faire progresser l’ingénierie de la santé au Canada.

—Mohamed Merheb, Quebec chapter chair

MARITIME CHAP TER

—Mohamed Merheb, chef du conseil d’administration du Québec

Planning continues for the 2024 CHES National Conference in Halifax, Sept. 8-10. Much of the preparations have been completed and most events confirmed. The call for abstracts closes Nov. 17. Those who submitted for 2020 are asked to resubmit.

I encourage everyone to register for the conference and join us for some homegrown Maritime hospitality and an exceptional program.

The Maritime chapter will host the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course post-conference on Sept. 11-12, at the Halifax Convention Centre.

A fall education session is planned for Nov. 28, at the Best Western in Truro, N.S. CHES Maritime continues to offer several financial incentives to members in the way of student bursaries, contribution to Canadian Certified Healthcare Facility Manager exam fees, and covering the cost of webinars and the fall education day, among other benefits.

10 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

t

—Robert Barss, Maritime chapter chair

The 2024 CHES National Conference will be held in Halifax, Sept. 8-10.

CHES Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society

SCISS

Société canadienne d'ingénierie des services de santé

CALL FOR GRANT SPONSORSHIP & SUBMISSIONS 2024 Young Professionals Grant DEADLINE: April 30, 2024 CHES is seeking both sponsors and candidates for the 2024 Young Professionals Grant. The application forms for Sponsors and Candidates are available on the CHES website.

Call for Sponsors: • The YPG sponsorship application form must be completed by the sponsoring organization/company and submitted to the CHES National Office.

• CHES National Office will invoice sponsoring organization/company for $2,000 once candidate applications have been received and approved.

Call for Candidates: • Young professionals who are or will become architects, engineers (i.e. mechanical, electrical, power, civil, etc.), technicians or similar technical disciplines are eligible.

• Eligible candidates are those working within a healthcare organization or a company supplying goods or services to healthcare facilities or organizations.

• Eligible candidates must be working in the healthcare field for less than 5 years.

• The YPG application form must be completed by the eligible candidate and submitted to the CHES National Office. In this form, the eligible candidate will be required to provide information on their recent employment and future career aspirations.

• Confirmed candidates will receive complimentary registration for the 2024 CHES National Conference and complimentary membership for the remainder of the 2024-2025 membership year.

For Nomination Forms, Terms of Reference, criteria and past winners www.ches.org / About CHES / Awards Send nominations to: CHES National Office info@ches.org

CONFERENCE ROUNDUP

YPG GRANT RECIPIENT REINFORCES BENEFITS OF ATTENDING CHES NATIONAL CONFERENCE IT HAD BEEN 12 years since CHES members from across the country gathered in Winnipeg for the biggest event of the year and the excitement was palpable. After the 2022 conference — the first inperson national event held since before the COVID-19 pandemic — the CHES community was yearning to meet face-to-face again. The Manitoba capital was the perfect spot, serving as the longitudinal centre of Canada and effectively bridging east and west.

Held Sept. 17-19, at the RBC Convention Centre in the city’s core, the much-anticipated event saw 570 attendees and more than 250 delegates pass through the venue’s doors. Among those who travelled from outside the province to take part in the conference was Wei (Wesley) Fan, the recipient of this year’s Young Professionals Grant (YPG). A senior project manager with Fraser Health, Fan was endorsed by CHES British Columbia’s executive team for his unwavering commitment to the field of healthcare engineering and facility management.

“I was quite surprised to be selected as I’m not young anymore,” laughs Fan, who joined the health authority almost five years ago.

The YPG is given annually to a young professional who is or will become an architect, engineer or technician, or work in a similar technical discipline. Eligible candidates must be employed 12 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

by a healthcare organization, or a company that supplies goods or services to healthcare facilities or organizations, and have worked in the healthcare field for less than five years. The grant includes the opportunity to attend the CHES National conference, with registration fees and travel expenses paid up to $2,000, and a oneyear complimentary CHES membership.

“I met other like-minded professionals, built new relationships and gained executive-level exposure,” says Fan about his first time attending the conference. “I also had the chance to learn from experts in the field and gain insights on current trends and best practices in healthcare engineering and facilities management, which will help improve my skills so I can better take on future challenges.”

Fan made the switch to healthcare in December 2018, after working in the private sector for seven years as a mechanical and site engineer for SNC-Lavalin. His first role at Fraser Health was project leader, followed by project manager and then his current position.

During his tenure, Fan has planned, managed and delivered 29 capital projects worth a total value of $84 million.

Since changing industries, Fan has immersed himself in the healthcare field, including outside work. He has served on the B.C.

CONFERENCE ROUNDUP

Photos courtesy Kent Waddington

chapter’s executive for two years now, first as vice-chair of the social media committee, adding the role of communications director this past May. He has attended and been a stark proponent of CHES B.C.’s annual spring conference for years, citing its many benefits like networking, knowledge exchange and enhanced education.

Reflecting on the 2023 CHES National Conference, Fan says the experience was invaluable and he plans to return in the future because of everything the event has to offer.

As in years past, the Great CHES Golf Game kicked off the multi-day event, held at the Quarry Oaks Golf Club in nearby Steinbach, Man. It was followed by the opening night reception at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, an innovative structure of curving lines and bold geometry that’s enshroud in 1,335 custom-cut pieces of glass. Conference highlights included the keynote address by the museum’s CEO, Isha Kahn, a lawyer, educator and community leader dedicated to building a culture of human rights in Canada and beyond; facility tour of the province’s largest healthcare facility, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg; and day trips to the Manitoba legislative building for a private hermetic code tour and the Leaf, an indoor horticultural attraction at Assiniboine

Park, followed by a sightseeing bus tour of Winnipeg, as part of the companion program.

The trade show floor boasted 125 booths and the educational program covered a wide variety of topics based around the conference theme, Rejuvenating Healthcare Infrastructure. Fan appreciated the diverse lineup of speakers and topics covered, from ventilation resilience in the age of COVID and the climate crisis to decarbonizing healthcare HVAC infrastructure using wastewater energy and transitioning central plants from steam-centric, high carbon to integrated low carbon systems.

Fan’s sentiments about the conference are shared by many, which accounts for the strong turnout. But for some, the main draw was the gala banquet. This year, the Big City All Star Band, comprised of a select group of Winnipeg’s best musical talent, provided the night’s entertainment; however, the high point was the presentation of awards. The newly built Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary (Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management), Steve McTaggart (Hans Burgers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Healthcare Engineering) and the Maritime chapter (President’s Award) were honoured by CHES. FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 13

AN UNDERTAKING OF MONUMENTAL PROPOR Un projet de proportions monumentales

T

he doors to Canada’s largest cancer treatment and research facility won’t open to patients until 2024, yet the $1.4 billion project is already receiving accolades.

Last year, the Calgary-area hospital garnered two. It was recognized by the Alberta chapter of the American Concrete Institute, nabbing the top spot in the buildings category for its exceptional concrete construction; and by North America’s largest building technology and innovation community, Building Transformations, for its as-built building information modelling complete with asset information management at the Innovation Spotlight Awards. Most recently, the newly renamed Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre nudged out the competition to win the Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management, presented at the 2023 CHES National Conference in Winnipeg this past September.

“There were a lot of great projects so it’s a huge honour,” says Dave Campbell, lead engineering liaison, capital management, for Alberta Health Services (AHS), who accepted the award on behalf of the health authority. “It’s a very proud moment any time there’s recognition from the healthcare community, especially when it is made up of your peers.”

14 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

L

e Centre de cancérologie Arthur J. E. Child est unique. C’est le plus grand centre oncologique du Canada. Même si son ouverture n’est prévue que pour 2024, le centre de 1,4 milliard de dollars se distingue déjà par ses récompenses. Il a même été honoré deux fois l’an dernier. L’American Concrete Institute de l’Alberta l’a récompensé pour sa construction en béton exceptionnelle. Building Transformations, référence nord-américaine en innovation, lui a aussi décerné le premier prix au gala des Innovation Spotlight Awards. Pourquoi? Pour sa modélisation des informations de l’édifice tel que construit et sa gestion d’informations innovantes. Plus récemment, lors de la conférence 2023 de la SCISS, tenue à Winnipeg en septembre dernier, le Centre a remporté le prix d’excellence Wayne McLellan. Une consécration en gestion d’installations de santé.

“Recevoir ce prix représente un grand honneur, au vu des nombreux projets en lice,” affirme Dave Campbell.

En tant que liaison principale en ingénierie et gestion des capitaux pour Alberta Health Services (AHS), Campbell a accepté le trophée au nom de l’autorité sanitaire.

“C’est un moment de grande fierté chaque fois que vous recevez une reconnaissance de la communauté des soins de santé, surtout quand ce sont vos pairs.”

CHES AWARDS

t LEFT TO RIGHT: Dave Campbell of Alberta Health Services with Mike Pringle of Honeywell (award sponsor) and CHES National president Craig Doerksen.

RTIONS Built on the site of the Foothills Medical Centre, and connected to it and the University of Calgary via a two-way corridor to offer unparalleled optimization in healthcare delivery and academic pursuits, construction of the largest government infrastructure project in the province got underway in late 2017. The massive facility includes 1.5 million square feet of clinical space, 160 inpatient beds, more than 90 chemotherapy chairs and 100-plus examination rooms, 12 radiation vaults (plus three shelled-in for future growth), research laboratories, outpatient cancer clinics, a host of operational support spaces and a new parkade that can accommodate 1,650 vehicles. Upon opening, it will consolidate cancer care for Southern Alberta, and be a hub of medical information and research like few others in North America.

Designed to focus on nature, the facility is targeting LEED Gold certification. Patients, their families, visitors and staff will have access to nearly 67,000 square feet of outdoor areas, including a ground floor outdoor garden and green space on the eighth floor. Natural elements like woodgrain panels and art and graphic images inspired by the local landscape can be found inside. Many patient rooms and treatment areas have views of the outdoors. The facility was designed to maximize natural light

Érigé sur le site du Centre médical Foothills, l’établissement est connecté à l’Université de Calgary via un couloir bidirectionnel. On optimise ainsi, à un degré sans précédent, les soins de santé et les activités académiques. Mis en chantier fin 2017, c’est le plus grand projet d’infrastructure de la province. Il recouvre notamment 1,5 million de pieds carrés dédiés à l’espace clinique. On y recense 160 lits, plus de 90 fauteuils de chimiothérapie, au-delà d’une centaine de salles d’examen, 12 bunkers de radiothérapie (avec trois abris pour une expansion future), des laboratoires, des cliniques ambulatoires, divers espaces de soutien et un stationnement pour 1 650 voitures. À son ouverture, le centre sera le pivot des soins oncologiques du sud de l’Alberta, se positionnant comme un pôle d’information et de recherche majeur en Amérique du Nord.

Cet établissement écoresponsable vise la certification LEED Or. L’espace extérieur s’étend sur 67 000 pieds carrés, offrant un jardin au rez-de-chaussée et un espace verdoyant au huitième étage pour les patients, leurs proches, les visiteurs et le personnel. À l’intérieur, l’ambiance est naturelle avec des panneaux de bois, des œuvres d’art et des graphiques évoquant le paysage local.

Plusieurs chambres et zones de soins offrent une belle vue FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 15

CHES AWARDS

The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (top right) has nearly 67,000 square feet of outdoor space and includes radiation treatment linear accelerators, which can be used to deliver high-energy x-rays to any part of the body. t

“WHEN YOU’RE PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CANCER CENTRE, IT RESONATES WITH YOU.” throughout. Where artificial light is necessary, it mimics natural light and the day/night cycle, when possible.

Reduced water consumption and improved energy efficiency were key initiatives. Drought-tolerant plants and a drip irrigation system were selected to curb potable water usage by 67 per cent annually. Indoors, water-efficient washroom fixtures like low-flow showers, toilets, lavatories and kitchen sinks have been installed. It’s expected these items will save more than 37 million litres of water each year. Additional efficiencies will be achieved through the cooling towers, which were designed to conserve water by obtaining the maximum number of cycles without affecting condenser operation and reducing blowdown of cooling tower water.

The cancer centre’s design will see the facility operate 26 per cent more efficiently than a similar sized commercial building. This will be achieved with a low window-to-wall ratio of 25 per cent, reducing heat loss; specific HVAC strategies, including ventilation heat recovery, high-efficiency condensing boilers, a high-efficiency magnetic bearing water-cooled centrifugal chiller, and premium efficiency pumps and fans with variable speed control; LED lights throughout; and occupancy and daylight sensors to reduce light levels when rooms have low or no occupancy.

16 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

extérieure. La conception priorise la lumière naturelle. Et lorsque la lumière artificielle est nécessaire, elle reproduit la lumière du jour et respecte le cycle jour/nuit.

L’eau et l’énergie sont au cœur des préoccupations. Réduire la consommation d’eau était essentiel. Comment? Grâce à des plantes résistantes à la sécheresse et à un système d’irrigation goutte à goutte. Ces mesures permettront d’économiser 67 pour cent d’eau potable chaque année. À l’intérieur, le souci du détail persiste.

Douches à faible débit, toilettes économiques, lavabos et éviers adaptés. Ces installations devraient permettre d’économiser plus de 37 millions de litres d’eau annuellement. Les tours de refroidissement, elles, maximisent l’efficacité. Elles sont conçues pour utiliser moins d’eau sans compromettre leur efficacité.

Le centre d’oncologie brille par son efficacité. Il est 26 pour cent plus performant qu’un bâtiment commercial similaire. Comment?

Grâce à un ratio fenêtre-mur de seulement 25 pour cent, limitant la perte de chaleur. Il adopte des systèmes innovants de chauffage, ventilation et climatisation. Parmi eux, la récupération de chaleur de ventilation, des chaudières à condensation performantes, une centrifugeuse refroidie à l’eau de pointe et des pompes et ventilateurs à haut rendement à vitesse variable. L’éclairage? Exclusivement en D.E.L. De plus, des capteurs d’occupation et de lumière naturelle ajustent l’intensité lumineuse, optimisant l’utilisation en fonction de l’occupation des pièces.

“Grâce aux technologies adoptées, nous constatons une nette réduction de la consommation d’énergie par rapport à ce qui est couramment observé,” souligne Campbell.

Les promoteurs du projet visent les 11 points d’énergie LEED. “Ces technologies appuient aussi la mission d’AHS: offrir une

CHES AWARDS “The technologies used allow for significant improvements in energy consumption over the status quo,” says Campbell, adding the goal was to achieve 11 energy points in LEED. “These technologies also help further AHS’s objective of providing resilient and reliable building infrastructure, built to the latest codes and standards, so that staff, patients and visitors have the best possible environment of care.”

Reflecting on the past six years since construction broke ground, several successes stand out in Campbell’s mind. They include the provision of expensive electrochromic glazing by holistic analysis of cost savings in impacted ventilation and cooling systems and deletion of blinds — a particular achievement in a design-build project; a commitment to low fan power by the entire design team, allowing extra space for low velocity air handling units, ductwork and terminal reheat coils; very low lighting power density while maintaining stringent illumination standards; and the harvesting of process heat by heat recovery chillers.

But perhaps what Campbell is proud of most is his team of facility experts who were engaged in all aspects of the project, starting by helping to draft the owner’s project requirement through pursuit, design, construction and commissioning.

“The project involved countless hours of engineering oversight,” says Campbell who, like many others, was motivated by what was being built. “When you’re part of the construction of a cancer centre, it resonates with you. Cancer touches so many lives, directly and indirectly, and even if it hasn’t, you know what you’re working toward will be life-changing for many people, so you want to make sure it’s done right.”

infrastructure solide et fiable, conforme aux normes récentes, pour que personnel, patients et visiteurs évoluent dans le meilleur cadre de soins,” affirme Campbell.

En repensant aux six années écoulées depuis le début des travaux, Campbell évoque plusieurs succès notables. Parmi eux, l’adoption de vitrage électrochrome onéreux, rendue possible par une vision globale des économies sur les systèmes de ventilation et de refroidissement, ce qui élimine du même coup les stores.

L’ensemble de l’équipe de conception s’est engagé en faveur d’une faible consommation énergétique, ouvrant la voie à plus d’espace pour les unités de traitement d’air à faible vitesse, les conduits d’air et les bobines de chauffage. Malgré une densité d’éclairage réduite, les normes d’éclairage strictes ont été respectées. Enfin, l’intégration de refroidisseurs à récupération de chaleur est une autre réalisation marquante.

Ce qui remplit Campbell de fierté, c’est avant tout son équipe.

Ces professionnels des installations ont été impliqués à chaque étape du projet. De la définition des besoins du propriétaire au suivi, en passant par la conception, la construction et la mise en service.

“Ce projet a exigé une supervision technique sans relâche,” confie Campbell.

Comme beaucoup, il était porté par la nature même de ce qui prenait forme.

“Participer à l’édification d’un centre d’oncologie, ça marque. Le cancer impacte tant de vies, de près ou de loin. Même si vous n’êtes pas directement concerné, vous êtes conscient que votre travail transformera de nombreuses existences. Alors, vous êtes déterminé à bien faire les choses.”

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Sunlight illuminating the tombstone of the Unknown Soldier Memorial Hall, Canadian War Museum

CWM2011-0055-0074-DM CWM2011-0049-002-DP1

FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 17

CHES AWARDS

WORTHY OF RECOGNITION

Longest serving board member in B.C. chapter’s history honoured for contributions to healthcare engineering

LEFT TO RIGHT: Mark Bertulli of Dubois Chemicals (award sponsor) with Steve McTaggart and CHES National president Craig Doerksen.

t

F

or the second time in less than two years, Steve McTaggart has taken to a stage to accept an award bestowed in his honour. In spring 2022, the longtime CHES member was recognized as the firstever recipient of the CHES B.C. Healthcare Award for his contribution to healthcare engineering in British Columbia. This past September, McTaggart made his way onto the podium during the CHES national conference gala banquet to accept the Hans Burgers Award, which, similar to the B.C. chapter distinction, recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of healthcare engineering. ‘Humbled’ to join the names of others before him like Mitch Weimer, who was among those that nominated the industry veteran, that’s not the word that came to 18 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

McTaggart’s mind when notified of the accolade.

“I was quite surprised, so much so that I asked CHES National president Craig Doerksen if he was sure he had the right guy,” he says.

A dedicated CHES member since the formation of the B.C. chapter more than 20 years ago, McTaggart has spent countless hours volunteering for the organization at both the provincial and national level. He is the longest serving board member in CHES B.C.’s history; has held every position on the chapter executive, with the exception of secretary, including two stints as chapter chair; has participated in national committees like professional development; was the driving force behind the growth of the chap-

ter’s annual spring conference, as well as its relocation to Whistler in 2010; and played a pivotal role in the success of three CHES National conferences held in the province.

But his biggest accomplishments, says McTaggart, were assisting with the set-up of chapter-supported student bursaries and the establishment of CHES B.C.’s grassroots program. The initiative provides targeted funding to aid frontline healthcare workers unable to obtain financial assistance from their facility to attend the chapter conference.

“The grassroots program has helped increase chapter membership, while providing educational opportunities to people who may not have been able to attend the conference,” he says.

CHES AWARDS

Like many, McTaggart’s involvement in CHES happened by chance. Originally a member of the British Columbia Hospital Maintenance and Engineers Association (BCHMEA), he became part of the CHES family when BCHMEA joined the organization to ultimately become the B.C. chapter. His initial interest was the networking and learning opportunities offered, but soon after he realized the benefits of greater involvement.

McTaggart’s career in the healthcare industry was also unplanned. A young father in need of work to support his growing family, he learned of a position at Surrey Memorial Hospital from his stepmother. He started off employed in t he k itchen a nd housekeepi ng department, during which time he took the occasion to better his education and skills. In 1984, McTaggart successfully obtained his power engineering degree from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, setting him up to rise through the hospital’s ranks to become chief engineer in the late 1990s.

“THE GRASSROOTS PROGRAM HAS HELPED INCREASE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP, WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.” In the early 2000s, McTaggart moved to Chilliwack General Hospital, where he was manager of plant services before the position expanded to include overseeing construction, too, at both Peace Arch Hospital in Whiterock, B.C., and Delta Hospital.

After several years, he was tapped to take on the role of senior manager of facilities maintenance and operations at the hospital where his career in the healthcare industry began, Surrey Memorial Hospital, which was in the midst of one of the largest brownfield redevelopments in Canada.

“It’s definitely a project you don’t soon forget,” he says.

After a storied career in the publicly-funded healthcare industry, McTaggart

retired in 2019; however, he hasn’t hung up his hat, so to speak. Rather, he simply changed sectors and is now the general manager at Eco-Air Systems (EAS), a commercial and industrial HVAC contractor in Langley, B.C. When asked why he made the move, his answer undoubtedly makes sense.

“I wanted the opportunity to work with my son,” he says about Chris McTaggart, who owns EAS. With the transition, he has pared back on work so that he’s only going into the office three days a week. This allows him to indulge in some of his favourite past-times, from going to the gym to travelling and, of course, catching up with friends (those from CHES included) over a beer.

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CHES AWARDS

A NOTABLE FIRST

Maritime chapter has won the most President’s Awards ever

LEFT TO RIGHT: Maritime chapter members Helen Comeau, Andrew Bradley, Steve Smith, Gordon Jackson, Romuald Thibodeau, Kate Butler, Robert Barss and Jason Turner with Luis Rodrigues of award sponsor Trane (left of Barss) and CHES National president Craig Doerksen (far right).

t

S

ince the creation of the President’s Award in 2014, three chapters have been bestowed the honour, each receiving it three times. This year, the Maritime chapter came out on top, marking its fourth victory — a momentous occasion for chair Robert Barss who accepted the award on behalf of the chapter executive just as he did in 2015, when CHES Maritime won for the first time.

“It brings a great sense of accomplishment,” says Barss. “The award is noted for creating healthy competition between chapters to be the best within the CHES organization. Winning it makes me proud of the Maritime team and their commitment to CHES and its success.”

Barss felt similar sentiments in 2019 and 2020, when the chapter also triumphed over others in back-to-back years under the 20 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

leadership of Helen Comeau. (He is now in his second non-consecutive term as chair.)

The President’s Award is presented annually to the CHES chapter that demonstrates its commitment to education, administration and representation in the activities of the chapter and national board. Each chapter is scored on accounting practices, conference/education day, membership, chapter executive practices, committee work and additional offerings (from submitting articles to CHES’s journal, Canadian Healthcare Facilities, to providing extra member benefits). Specifically, points are given for activities that benefit members and the work of CHES, such as number of meetings attended in the course of committee work and special education sessions. The recipient of the much-coveted award receives two CHES national

conference registrations and expenses paid up to a maximum of $2,500 each, as well as a trophy engraved with the winning team’s names.

Over the past year, CHES Maritime members have been diligent in attending and contributing to the work of the chapter and all CHES committees, including professional development, communications, governance, partnerships and advocacy, and membership. Members have also contributed through association with CSA Group and the development of standards the healthcare industry relies on.

On the education front, CHES Maritime has continued to offer learning opportunities to both members and non-members.

Last November, more than 100 frontline hospital and long-term care staff and administrators gathered in-person for the

CHES AWARDS

first time in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the chapter’s fall education day. Held in Truro, N.S., there were seven education sessions on topics related to facility maintenance, as well as ample networking opportunities. The chapter’s most recent conference, April 30-May 2, in Moncton, N.B., was also highly attended by 88 member delegates, up approximately 20 per cent from its last face-to-face spring conference in 2019.

The return of in-person meetings has been a welcome relief to CHES Maritime, as it has been for all chapters and their members. Pandemic restrictions put a stop to in-person events from March 2020 to early summer 2022 — a major source of revenue generation and membership acquisition. (Maritime chapter membership declined by 20 per cent during this time.)

“We depend on the support of our corporate partners at our conferences and educational programs to provide services required by the membership,” explains Barss. “With no ability to offer conference and trade shows for several years, we had to be vigilant of our spending.”

Despite setbacks, the chapter executive persevered during those challenging years and continued to offer several financial incentives to members, including covering the cost of CHES webinars and Canadian Certified Healthcare Facility Manager exam fees, if passed, and giving money to students to pay for their education through bursaries like the Per Paasche grant.

Named in memory of Paasche who helped establish the Maritime chapter, the $1,000 bursary was awarded to Willow Somerville this year. The granddaughter of CHES Maritime member Gordon Burrill, Somerville is a student at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, where she is pursuing a bachelor of arts in psychology. She aspires to work with children coping with mental disabilities.

As for chapter membership, it has begun to rebound from the pandemic low of 101 thanks to the executive’s concerted efforts.

“THE AWARD IS NOTED FOR CREATING HEALTHY COMPETITION BETWEEN CHAPTERS TO BE THE BEST WITHIN THE CHES ORGANIZATION. WINNING IT MAKES ME PROUD OF THE MARITIME TEAM AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO CHES AND ITS SUCCESS.”

CHES Maritime welcomed 24 new members into its fold over the past year, largely represented by those working in long-term care facilities.

“We will continue to include this sector of healthcare in future activities, which, in turn, we hope will further grow our membership,” says Barss.

With eyes to the future, Barss and the rest of the chapter executive — Steve Smith (executive vice-chair), Ken Morriscey (Nova Scotia vice-chair), Kate Butler (New Brunswick vice-chair), Gordon Jackson (treasurer), Dave Bligh (secretary), Jason Turner (corporate associate) and Comeau (past chair) — have a busy year ahead. The Maritime chapter will host the 2024 CHES National Conference in Halifax, Sept. 8-10.

Planning for the conference began eight years, as it was supposed to be held in 2020, but cancelled due to the pandemic. With a return to ‘normalcy,’ the conference planning committee was resurrected last year and has been meeting regularly ever since. Much of the original program is intact; however, those who entered abstracts for the 2020 event have been asked to resubmit. New submissions are also being accepted. Approved speakers will be notif ied by February. Educational programming will be based on the theme, Enriching Patient Experiences by Optimizing the Environment.

The conference will open with a reception at Pier 21, home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration. Author and

performance coach Alan Mallory will deliver the keynote speech. With a degree in engineering from Queen’s University and a masters in psychology from Adler University, he will provide an engaging visual and educational journey packed with tools, strategies and ideas that attendees can put into action to make positive changes.

The trade show will house 130 booths.

The corporate associate group will offer ‘beyond the booth,’ 15 minute education offerings on products and technologies in a corner of the trade show floor — a first for a national conference.

Always a highlight is the President’s reception and CHES awards presentation, which will be held in the Halifax Convention Centre’s 30,000-square-foot ballroom, offering panoramic views of the city from f loor-to-ceiling windows. Comedic hypnotist Ian Stewart will cap off the evening.

The social and companion program includes the Great CHES Golf Game at Glen Arbour in nearby Hammonds Plains; tours of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and Halifax city centre; and trips to Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg, where those with sea legs will set sail on the Bluenose II, an exact replica of the famed schooner Bluenose, which became a national icon.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to bring to the membership a conference to remember and are looking forward to welcoming our friends and colleagues from across Canada and the U.S.” FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 21

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

DESIGN MATTERS New study uncovers impact of renos on dementia patients in long-term care facilities

By Rebecca Melnyk

D

emand for long-term care is expected to skyrocket with an aging population and the growing prevalence of conditions such as dementia.

The most current statistics from the Alzheimer Society of Canada show 597,000 people are living with dementia. In 2030, this number is projected to rise to 955,900.

The quality of life awaiting future residents within the country’s institutionallike care facilities is facing scrutiny as researchers closely examine how these spaces are being reimagined for the better.

While there is more focus on incorporating residentially-scaled elements, evidence is lacking as to which design features are most successful.

Michelle Porter, director of the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba, says 22 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

there are dozens of long-term care facilities in the province designed around a very institutional model.

“We are not going to be able to replace all these spaces in the next couple of years with a different design, so being able to look at what could happen with a renovation is really important.”

Porter presented her new co-authored paper, Renovations of a Long-term Care Centre for Residents with Advanced Dementia: Impact on Residents and Staff, during an online discussion hosted by the Canadian Centre for Healthcare Facilities.

The multi-method study analyzed preand post-renovation data over a five-year period, looking at residents with advanced dementia and staff at a special care centre in the Prairies.

By the end of the project, research showed that meeting residents’ needs was “partially successful,” while work conditions among staff improved.

A HOME-LIKE RENOVATION

Creating a home-like atmosphere was a key objective of the renovation, with a focus on reducing agitation, aggression and exit-seeking behaviours. Boosting biophilic and wayfinding elements, independence, physical and social activity, and the well-being and work conditions of staff were other goals.

Designers and administrators also sought to upgrade furniture and finishes, and use the project as a learning lab for innovative technologies.

Laura Funk, study co-author and professor of sociology at the University of Manitoba,

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

says using the long-term care centre as a “testing ground” for unproven technologies was downplayed as the project progressed and could have been used more initially to attract funders.

To invoke a home-like feel, 15 resident units were separated into smaller five-person “households.” The single, large dining/ recreation and lounge spaces per unit were replaced with three smaller lounge/dining spaces. Post-renovation, overall noise levels were “significantly quieter” in the units but flagged as “still louder” than what is fitting for a residential space.

Circadian lighting in the dining and lounge spaces, where residents spend ample amounts of time, mirrored outdoor conditions, with cooler bluish light at mid-day and warmer colour light in the mornings.

Resident rooms didn’t undergo major changes. However, wayfinding was an important element that included personalizing room entrances, biophilic wall murals in common areas, a more centralized nursing station and camouflaged exits. For instance, a vinyl mural of a bookcase hides a doorway, which creates a safeguard.

IMPACTS ON STAFF’S WORK CONDITIONS

A previous study in 2016 had flagged a knowledge gap related to the environmental effects long-term care facilities have on staff, so this issue became a notable strength of the current study according to several findings.

Staff members conveyed the renovation improved their “enjoyment of time with residents.” Digital photographs outside rooms were an added feature that provided moments for interaction. A newly installed staff communication system was another highlight of the project, garnering positive comments for saving time, the ability to call for help in an emergency and easier communication.

Of the physical environment, staff said it was slightly more positive post-renovation.

The aesthetic appearance and privacy levels of the primary work area, along with noise associated with conversations or patient vocalizations, figured into this perspective.

Job satisfaction and the stressfulness of work showed little change. The amount of personal care staff provided nearly doubled, possibly from new staff training models.

Most staff also felt there was ‘no impact’ on work safety, although one-third conveyed

this area as being more positive and 16.7 per cent reported it as negative or very negative.

After the dining room was separated, proper monitoring of choking hazards among all residents became a huge safety concern. Staff also reported the smaller spaces kept some residents closer together during meals, which could have accelerated conflict. There were also fewer behaviours involving leisure, as space constraints may have figured into the ability to facilitate visits with family and friends. Another worker stated the “nursing station looks like a teller window at a bank and central location; can trigger responsive behaviours.”

Although the overall scores reflected a setting that wasn’t “significantly worse,” staff wished they would have been consulted more in the actual design of the spaces.

EFFECTS ON LIFE OF RESIDENTS

Using a number of methods, the renovated space ultimately reflected both pros and cons within the living environment.

Various items contributed to a home-like feel; notably, photographs in display cabinets, windows with views, quiet spaces and customized doors were seen as positive additions.

Staff primarily described the new space as being a “better environment for residents,” with “homey-like decor and less stimulation overload” and “more space for wandering and walking.” Additional positives showed improved quality of life, along with mental stimulation, emotional well-being, interaction among family, staff and other residents, access to recreational opportunities and lower elopement.

Other areas showed no “noticeable difference” compared to pre-renovation; mainly, residents’ autonomy and independence, engagement, their mobility, dining experience and physical activity or safety.

Aggressive behaviour remained unchanged, contrary to what designers had initially expected.

Through surveys, staff response was neutral in certain areas. Renovated dining areas were deemed challenging for group activities but also quieter, without the need to use resident rooms. A smaller number of individuals in each dining area with less clustering meant fewer Protection for Persons in Care Office reports to complete; however, closer proximity also meant

residents had “nowhere to go to get away from each other, leading to negative interactions.”

Some staff felt the layout remained hospital-like. Others strongly expressed a lack of safety, stating the design was geared around higher functioning residents.

STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE

One idea that emerged throughout the project, with several staff suggesting so, is “perhaps some of the evidence of best practices in design is not applicable to residents living with advanced dementia,” says Funk.

Although there were “confounding variables,” such as a lack of detailed feedback from residents, she suggests there is much to consider with both the research process and its conclusions.

For instance, Funk says differing perceptions can shape design elements.

Workload and staffing concerns being a predominant factor led to designs that distract, separate, control or divert residents from risky situations.

There were also stigmatizing ideas like the belief that persons with advanced dementia don’t benefit as much from social engagement or group recreation as other residents.

While multiple methods of data gathering were used over time, from selfreported questionnaires and staff surveys to behaviour mapping, which measured space use and behavioural patterns in the physical environment, precise outcomes proved challenging to decipher due to an array of factors, such as a new staff training program.

“It really becomes challenging to say was it this design feature that led to this change or was it the fact they changed the staffing models,” says Porter. “There were some education workshops introduced during the time the renovations were occurring … It is hard to say anything was directly related to the actual physical environment.”

Going forward, the authors propose there is a greater role for researchers in evidencebased design.

“More high-quality longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether renovations have intended outcomes for both residents and staff of dementia care units,” the study concluded.

FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 23

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

REJUVENATING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE Ontario long-term care home puts residents, environment first

By Jeff Weir

Albright Manor is a 231-bed long-term care home in Beamsville, Ont. The facility embarked on a rejuvenation of key HVAC equipment and controls, and other ancillary systems, to achieve emissions reductions and savings for the day-to-day costs of maintenance and operations within the facility.

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ong-term care facilities in Canada are faced with many competing challenges. An outstanding resident experience and an optimized environment of care are of great importance to the administrative team. Unfortunately, these key priorities can be severely impacted by aged HVAC equipment. The reliability of older systems and building controls can result in discomfort to everyone in the facility.

Rejuvenating aging mechanical systems can be highly impactful, improving comfort and the environment of care for occupants, as well as helping to reduce a facility’s car24 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

bon footprint and keep overall operating costs under control. However, funding these programs competes against other critical priorities and can deter any project from even getting started. Albright Manor, a long-term care home in Beamsville, Ont., faced this problem and turned to Trane for guidance.

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

Albright Manor’s senior executive team wanted an experienced collaborator that could assist them through the entire process, starting with a preliminary needs assessment

that would provide an understanding of the magnitude of the proposed mechanical upgrade project. This included costs associated with completing the work as well as benefits like energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, among other savings opportunities, which added to the attractiveness of the business case.

The level of detail provided helped prepare Albright Manor to apply for a grant from the Investment in Canada Infrastructure Program. The facility was successful, receiving just over $4.5 million and assurance to move forward with the rejuvenation of key

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

HVAC equipment and controls, and other ancillary systems.

Albright Manor collaborated with Trane to maximize the use of the funding to replace outdated equipment with systems that would not only improve the environment of care but would also bring environmental responsibility to the forefront.

Senior leadership wanted to achieve emissions reductions and savings for the dayto-day costs of maintenance and operations within the facility. This would provide an opportunity to direct even more savings toward the resident experience.

The scope of the overall project was comprehensive and included installation of new high-efficiency cooling equipment, replacing a 22-year-old chiller; the upgrade of 10 air handling units and adjustment of air volumes for better comfort conditions; installation of four high-efficiency humidifiers; and replacement of the building automation system with a state-of-the-art system that allows for control of heating, cooling and ventilation equipment.

These changes are projected to result in

$63,816 in energy savings and an estimated $22,000 in water savings per year. Annual emissions reductions of 194 tons of carbon dioxide are also anticipated.

A LESSON IN COMMUNICATION

Albright Manor and Trane recognized there would be significant benefit to communicating key aspects of the overall rejuvenation program to both staff and residents of the facility. Through further discussions, they decided to extend this proactive communication plan to residents’ immediate families so they knew their loved ones were being cared for in the best possible way.

Working together, Albright Manor and Trane planned a staff and resident information day event. It was held in the front entrance area of the building where attendees enjoyed lunch, visiting children participated in games and a booth with Trane industry experts shared information about the program and its benefits to residents, staff and the environment. The event provided the opportunity for staff and residents

to understand the project’s full scope — it was not just about replacing aging equipment in the building, it would improve residents’ overall care, too — and how their actions could further impact results.

Albright Manor has demonstrated how much can be accomplished when enlisting the right partner to guide an organization through many competing priorities. The foresight of Albright Manor’s leadership team, with the support from their board, provincial and federal governments, and Trane, has resulted in a successful outcome for their facility.

Jeff Weir is a senior business advisor with the comprehensive solutions team at Trane in Canada. Jeff is a 12-year veteran of Trane. With a career that spans more than 35 years, he has supported clients from coast-to-coast as they work to make their facilities energy efficient, healthier for occupants and perform at optimal levels. Jeff is a certified energy manager, certified engineering technologist and an ASHRAE award-winner. He is also passionate about doing the right things today so that we can all enjoy a better environment tomorrow.

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FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 25

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN

A QUIET PLACE

Benefits of using sound attenuation modular containment walls in hospital renovations

By Elizabeth Lamb

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he desire for sound attenuation in construction has grown in popularity within the last few years, particularly in the healthcare industry. Because construction in critical environments like hospitals is often done adjacent to occupied spaces, there is a heightened need to reduce noise in addition to dust and airborne particulates that may be harmful and disruptive to patients and healthcare workers.

Today, many organizations are relying on modular containment wall systems that are less expensive, reduce contamination challenges and, most importantly, are easy to install. Having the option to use a temporary wall system designed with built-in sound barrier insulation and that is aesthetically pleasing is a bonus.

In order to know if a modular wall containment system is the right fit, it’s important to first understand its benefits.

turning away from single-use materials to reusable solutions.

These trends are leading to the popularity of reusable, modular containment walls.

It’s no surprise traditional walls made with lumber and insulation combined with poly sheeting or drywall are not the most cost-effective solution for containment. Reusable wall systems pay for themselves in as little as three to five uses depending on the scope of the projects.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

EASE OF USE

ACOUSTIC ATTENUATION

Sound attenuation is the process of blocking sound waves or absorbing them by enclosing the affected area. Historically, construction sites were contained by two methods: poly sheeting, which is a thin film of plastic supported by poles; or hollowed out drywall with added insulation. Poly sheeting provides extremely limited sound attenuation, while drywall is costly, time-consuming and labour intensive.

26 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

With labour rates continuously on the rise, staffing is becoming a challenge in many industries. Organizations that once relied on a large team of workers are now looking for solutions to help them get the job done with less people but the same efficiency. Further, with the cost of construction materials continuously skyrocketing, organizations are

A wall system made from traditional materials requires excess time and labour, which often is hard to come by. In critical environments like healthcare settings, tasks as simple as cutting a two-by-four has to be done outside the facility to meet proper infection control and cleanliness requirements. If the cutting must be completed indoors, modular contain-

FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN ment walls need to be installed. Because they're reusable, these walls are dust-free to set up and can adapt to almost any environment without the need for cutting.

Installing them also takes a fraction of the time compared to traditional building methods.

Trust.

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PATIENT AND STAFF SATISFACTION

Construction noise can be intolerable and disruptive to patients. To remedy this, hospitals are now turning to reusable containment walls to reduce noise in occupied adjacent areas so that a renovation project doesn’t disturb patients, staff and visitors.

Not only can a loud environment be distressing for patients, it can prevent them from getting rest that is crucial for their recovery. As an added bonus, modular walls are more aesthetically pleasing than alternative solutions. With a professional, sleek appearance, these systems offer hospitals the ability to conceal the construction area from occupied spaces in a way that traditional methods often can’t support.

SANITATION CAPABILITIES

Inside patient isolation areas and throughout hospitals in general, cleanliness and proper hygiene are a top priority for the health and safety of patients and employ2 ees. It can be difficult to fully sanitizeMcGregor_Condo_March_2020.indd and wipe walls and surfaces made of traditional sound attenuation materials within the contained area. Reusable modular wall systems, however, have wipeable surfaces.

This means both interior and exterior walls are durable enough to be routinely disinfected.

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REUSABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Modular containment systems are easy to transport, install and store. Additionally, they typically have the ability to be adjusted and tailored to each project, making it a great solution for a wider variety of projects. Contractors can benefit from ease of use and quick return on investment that comes with the ability to reuse the walls.

Reusability also helps contractors minimize their environmental footprint and reduce waste of materials like drywall.

Elizabeth Lamb is the national healthcare and construction manager at Abatement Technologies, a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of powerful air abatement products.

Garage & Balcony Assessment/Restoration Building Cladding Design, Assessment & Remediation Roofing System Design, Assessment & Remediation Reserve Fund Studies Performance Audits Energy Audits and Modelling Structural Engineering

RJC Engineers

rjc.ca FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 27

SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE

CARE TO CONSERVE Targeted energy efficiency solutions for building new, retrofitting existing healthcare facilities

By Amy Rohof, Leanne Conrad & Heather Elliott

Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is the first smart hospital to be built in Canada. Opened in June 2021, the facility attained LEED Silver certification earning 54 points.

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recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighting global warming and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has strengthened the push for sustainability across industries. With the building industry said to be responsible for 40 per cent of global GHG emissions, every stage of a development can have an impact on the environment, from demolition and materials supplied to new projects to construction and post-occupancy building performance.

Changes in legislation, building regulations and emissions standards have started 28 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

to appear across Canada. As a result, zero-carbon and zero-energy building standards, and a better understanding of building life cycle, are beginning to grow.

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY

While new and renovated hospitals, laboratories and other healthcare facilities target and receive green building certifications, the impact of healthcare facilities is still significant. According to Health Care Without Harm, hospitals and labs emit 4.4 per cent of the world’s GHG emissions.

The World Economic Forum reports hospitals have the highest energy intensity of all publicly funded buildings, emitting 2.5 times more GHG emissions than commercial facilities.

Fortunately, there are impactful ways to influence new building design, ensuring infrastructure is mapped out for efficient operation.

But depending on the facility, local green building standards and budget, where does the conversation start?

Within the realm of healthcare facilities, zeroing in on building performance met-

SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE rics and fostering collaborative, sustainably-driven designs in construction are critical first steps. This includes identifying structural and building envelope considerations at the outset for either a new project or retrofit of an existing facility.

A COMMITMENT TO NET-ZERO

The conversation around improving sustainability in healthcare often includes certifications. Designations like LEED Platinum, PassiveHouse or Fitwell get attached to projects, indicating sustainability targets were set and achieved.

Despite the certification target, setting goals is key here. To achieve energy efficiency and lower emissions, it’s critical for building owners and managers to consider net-zero carbon and net-zero energy targets at the outset of projects.

Net-zero carbon buildings produce or procure carbon-free renewable energy or high-quality carbon offsets to counteract annual carbon emissions through materials and operations. Meanwhile, net-zero energy buildings are energy-efficient on a source energy basis and the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable exported energy.

NEW CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Healthcare facilities take many shapes, offering unique, differing services from one another. Mapping the layout and occupancy of a medical lab versus a hospi-

tal ward demands bespoke design. This is partly why there is no catch-all solution to implementing energy-efficient facilities across Canadian healthcare.

For new construction, whether prioritizing emissions targets, materials or overall design, collaborative planning is critical. To start, change to building design should include envelope expertise and, where possible, sustainability consultants. This way, energy and resilience goals can be set by project teams early on, and measurement of whole building life cycle can be mapped out and analyzed.

Specific structural and building envelope goals would include improving air tightness (avoiding energy loss through air barriers like window assemblies) and thermal barriers (for example, the heat loss through concrete foundation or window-to-wall ratio).

Envelope specialists working closely with structural engineers can explore different options to support structural design, such as exterior insulation to limit thermal bridging through foundation. They are also responsible for choosing the right materials for the project.

Materials with the highest impact for solving the embodied carbon challenge lie within the building’s structure and envelope. Traditional materials like concrete, steel, insulation and glass have a very high global warming potential.

While many carbon reduction strategies include the use of sustainable concrete or

ethically sourced mass timber, no single material choice will establish a carbon neutral building. Timber is often seen as a way to substantially reduce the embodied carbon in comparison to concrete or steel; however, there are significant roadblocks to using timber in healthcare construction.

As such, owners should engage their structural engineer to push for framing and design strategies to simplify the structure, such as reducing the amount of concrete used by minimizing structural transfers and underground structures. Initiating efficient column layout and slab designs through an effective grid are also proven strategies.

RETROFIT FOR THE FUTURE

It’s also critical to plan for sustainability in renovating or upgrading existing buildings at the outset. The healthcare industry has an enormous building stock throughout the country, many of which will not meet pending performance and emissions standards.

This is where building retrofits become a crucial part of the conversation.

Deep energy retrofits are a whole building analysis and construction process in the name of decarbonization, aiming at achieving on-site energy use minimization (usually more than 50 per cent reduction compared to baseline). It often involves significantly remodelling the building to achieve harmony in energy, indoor air quality, durability and thermal comfort.

MASS TIMBER IN HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION At first glance, timber is a carbon smart material: approximately one ton of carbon is sequestered in one cubic metre of wood. However, where the timber originates, how it will be used in design and if it will be repurposed rather than incinerated at the building’s end of life are important considerations.

The adoption of timber in healthcare construction faces significant roadblocks. Structural spans of nine metres or more require a hybrid system with a combination of timber/ steel or timber/concrete. Healthcare codes on combustible construction also discourage timber’s use. When employed, it is often required to be encapsulated in fire-resistant material like drywall. From an infection prevention and control viewpoint, timber is a natural material prone to cracking and warping. Because CSA Z8000 requires surfaces in healthcare facilities be easy to clean, resistant to microbial spread and growth, smooth and non-porous, and seamless, its use is fraught with challenges.

View of the main entrance mass timber curtain wall system under construction at the new Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C.

FALL/AUTOMNE 2023 29

SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE such as electricity, district energy or natural gas. Common energy usages include space heating, cooling, domestic hot water, lighting and plug loads. TEUI provides a full picture of building energy use, encourages all types of energy efficiency and allows for future comparison between modelled and actual performance.

PLANNING FROM THE OUTSET

The new Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Centre is an expansion and reimagining of the existing Canadian Cancer Society offices and Jean C. Barber Lodge located in Vancouver.

Inside, the generous atrium space is enclosed by a vertical wood veil along 10th Avenue that engages directly with the street.

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According to Architecture 2030, nearly two-thirds of today’s building stock is expected to exist in 2050, making deep retrofits a viable option to avoid demolition.

Key measurements for building directors, supervisors and infrastructure managers to learn are resilience (for example, how long a building stays heated or cooled after a power outage) and, specifically, energy metrics like TEDI and TEUI. While these similar but different calculations are not fundamental for establishing zero-carbon buildings, they are contributing factors.

TEDI, or thermal energy demand intensity, refers to the total annual heating load being used throughout the building. It encourages an energy-efficient building envelope and is related to building resilience; the facility with a more effective building envelope is a higher efficiency, lower energy building. With a lower TEDI, the building can also provide occupant comfort for longer when there is a power outage.

TEUI, or total energy use intensity, refers to the total energy used on-site from sources

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It’s clear building performance standards (and legislation) are being driven by a greater understanding of the building industry’s toll on the atmosphere. Whether in new construction or retrofits of existing buildings, strategies need to be established early to maximize the opportunity to reduce embodied and operational carbon in healthcare designs. This includes identifying sustainability objectives that begin with the business case and promote functional planning. Owners must engage with sustainability experts, in concert with structural and building envelope teams, to outline the correct targets and strategies to maximize opportunities to reduce embodied carbon and operational carbon in healthcare designs while minimizing impact on cost and schedule.

As many owners and project managers can attest, once a project is underway, the ability to impact overall sustainability of the build diminishes. Instead, by utilizing available resources early on, whether architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, envelope or energy modelling, projects can be driven by sustainability from the start.

This article was based on a joint presentation on sustainability trends in healthcare facilities given at the 2023 CHES Alberta conference by Entuitive’s Amy Rohof, Leanne Conrad and Heather Elliot. Amy is a senior structural engineer with 15 years of experience designing hospitals and healthcare renovations, including Calgary South Health Campus, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and Prince Albert Victoria Hospital. Leanne is an engineer and green building expert with 13 years of experience.

She currently leads the sustainable building and climate action team at Entuitive, overseeing a range of sustainable consulting services including LEED, Envision, Built Green, WELL and more. Heather is a senior building envelope specialist with 13 years of experience. Her work ranges from new construction to remediation/retrofit, where she employs practical solutions to ensure building lifespan and maximize performance.

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