From Competition to Collaboration: How a Multi-Firm Research Coalition Is Realizing Rigorous Facility Evaluation at...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare facility design and human outcomes research.
• Evidence-based design in the healthcare sector.

Background:

• Healthcare facility evaluation is often excluded from building contracts, hindering systematic research.
• Limited funding and unclear responsibilities are persistent barriers to healthcare facility evaluation.
• A multi-entity collaboration was needed to address these challenges at Parkland Hospital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the development of a multi-entity Research Coalition for evaluating the new Parkland Hospital.
• To establish a collaborative model for integrated healthcare facility evaluation.
• To overcome traditional barriers of funding and responsibility in facility research.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a Research Coalition with participating firms and hospital representatives.
• Development of a Research Coalition Charter to formalize shared goals and priorities.
• Establishment of guidelines for data sharing and research dissemination.

Main Results:

• Achieved key milestones: institutional review board exemption, data use agreements, and data collection.
• Research aims focus on patient and staff outcomes in the new facility.
• Analysis of primary and secondary data to test hypotheses is underway.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative research among competitors can be a viable approach for healthcare facility evaluation.
• This model facilitates knowledge contribution to healthcare design and decision-making.
• The Research Coalition offers a replicable framework for integrated facility assessment.