STRATEGIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT IN SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Abstract

The subject on Strategic Facilities Management for healthcare sector has not been discussed in local context. This paper aims to focus on healthcare facilities and study the relationship between facilities management and user satisfaction level. Based on literature review, factors such as accessibility, natural lighting, seating arrangement, greenery and the use of technology have been identified as the key performance areas that could potentially improve the satisfaction level of healthcare facilities users. Research methods such as interview, site observations and survey questionnaires have been adopted to offer a comprehensive study on the subject based on a systematic framework. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the effectiveness in implementation of strategic facilities management and patient/user satisfaction level. Thus, the management of healthcare facilities needs to go beyond the expectations of improving building efficiency with the further aim of providing a therapeutic and healing environment for the patients. From the findings from this study, a suggested 5-steps approach of strategic facilities management has been proposed to serve as an effective guideline for better healthcare management, with the aim of boosting the satisfaction level of healthcare facilities users and bringing in other intangible benefits over the long term. Recommendations are made to encourage further research on the impact of technologies to the healthcare facilities management.