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what programs are selected, could enable planners to continually fi ne-tune and improve the available options. By making accurate recordable statistics available in real-time, VDC could provide a new vantage point into the patient experi- ence. Data could be used to improve facility design and the environ- ment of care. It could also be used to test the validity of Evidence- Based Design decisions. Ultimately, this information would accelerate the body of research and evidence available to owners and designers seeking to develop tomorrow's healthcare facilities. Enhancing staf ef ciency and performance As cost pressures increase, healthcare organizations fi nd them- selves competing for staf , as well as for patients. The design of a healthcare facility should take into consideration not only the needs of the patient, but also the needs of the staf . One way VDC could, in the future, promote staf ef ciency, is to use it to conceptualize, test and eventually monitor a process that will take place within the building. For example, the design process could incorporate a virtual model of the routes used to transport patients from the emergency room to a CT scan, in order to design a fl oorplan that will optimize staf ef ciency. The facility's design could incorporate technology to wirelessly track patient transport, which would enable comparison between predicted and actual traf c patterns in the hallways. Identifying discrepancies would create an opportunity to make adjustments in procedures, or the physical space itself, to optimize performance. Data and analysis of the fl oorplan's intended versus actual use would in turn inform the future design and construction of healthcare facilities. The business case: Using VDC to save costs over a facility's lifecycle Consider the numerous processes and procedures embodied in a healthcare facility's operation. It's likely that many could be modeled, tested and optimized during design and construction. For example, VDC could be used to simulate a building's energy consumption in order to forecast these costs over its lifetime. This would enable comparison between dif erent design options in or- der to select the most economical. Using simulation to quantify the operational costs is only the fi rst step — the future of VDC is in be- ing able to compare the actual costs of operation with the simulated prediction, and using this downstream data to make subsequent design decisions. With downstream data available, VDC could ultimately improve patient outcomes by reducing staf errors and preventing hospital- acquired conditions, as the built environment may play a role in both types of occurrences. Virtual modeling could be used to con- ceptualize, design, test and improve the environment as it impacts incidences of patient infections, patient falls and staf errors. As healthcare organizations seek solutions to the challenges of today's marketplace, it's clear that the cost and performance of their facilities have signifi cant impact. The use of VDC should ap- peal to forward-thinking, strategic organizations in their quest for ef ciency, cost savings and high-quality patient care. While there are many potential future uses of VDC, today's proj- ects can benefi t tremendously from the use of the technology. As a way to seamlessly integrate the design and construction processes, VDC's benefi ts are well established. VDC's future lies in the many ways it can add value not only during a facility's conceptual stages, design and construction, but also during its operational life. John Gill, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, is director of virtual design and construction at SSOE Group. He can be reached at John.Gill@ssoe.com. Craig Pickerel, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, is an architect and section manager at SSOE Group. He can be reached at Craig.Pickerel@ssoe.com. MCDM AG.COM | NOV EMBER / DECEMBER 2015 | Medical Construction & Design 45