Triple Play How the health care sector is addressing evolving requirements

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Triple Play is a weekly NJBIZ feature that asks top executives in New Jersey to talk about three things related to their industry.

George J. Kimmerle is president and partner of Kimmerle Group, or KG, a multifaceted architectural and interior design company in Harding and New York City.

We asked George how the health care sector is changing to address evolving requirements.

Shifting demographics’ impact on delivery of care: To accommodate the aging U.S. population, demand for traditional and nontraditional health care settings is increasing. KG is focused on repositioning ambulatory vs. acute vs. urgent care settings/facilities. It offers an array of companion uses, such as skilled nursing centers, senior care and assisted living facilities, to complement on-campus acute facilities. KG also designs environments that meet the special needs of the disabled population, which is increasing as older people struggle with dementia and related diseases.

Improving quality of patient care and containing costs: Facilities are striving to be more efficient while preserving quality of care. This is changing how facilities are designed and built. KG’s techniques, such as lean design, involve a process-based examination of traditional and emerging specialties, to enhance care and extend patient private time with physicians and medical staff

Rebranding and repositioning health systems: One of the most exciting developments is KG’s involvement in the rebranding and repositioning of health systems. This process includes identifying the importance of existing specialties, outstanding programs and practice expertise, then bundling those together as ‘Centers of Excellence.’ The goal is to transform a health care institution’s brand and visual identity, which ultimately leads to a higher profile with broader benefits to the community at large.