Optimizing Underutilized Spaces: Improving Efficiency in Healthcare Without Major Capital Investments

In healthcare, improving operational efficiency and patient outcomes is crucial for success. One often overlooked but effective strategy is optimizing underutilized space within a facility. With careful planning, existing areas can be repurposed to improve workflows, enhance collaboration, and increase efficiency—without the need for major capital investments.

One project that I led exemplifies this approach. By relocating our Joint Replacement gym from the first floor to an underutilized area on the same floor as the med-surg patient wing, we were able to improve staff efficiency and patient care without incurring significant costs. This strategic move enhanced operational flow, created a safer environment for patients, and supported early ambulation efforts by nursing and physical therapy teams.

1. Identify Low-Cost Opportunities Within Existing Spaces

One of the first steps in optimizing space is assessing how existing areas are being used and identifying opportunities that can be achieved within a low-cost threshold. In our case, the Joint Replacement gym was located on the first floor, requiring physical therapists to transport patients between floors—an inefficient process that consumed valuable time.

We identified an underutilized space on the same floor as the med-surg unit. By relocating the gym to this new space, we were able to improve efficiency without needing to make significant capital investments or undergo costly renovations.

2. Collaborate Across Departments for Maximum Efficiency

Collaboration is key to making these kinds of low-cost optimizations successful. In this case, the physical therapy, nursing, and facilities management teams worked together to ensure the new space would not only improve patient care but also increase staff efficiency.

The nursing team played a critical role by supporting early ambulation efforts for post-surgical patients. The proximity of the gym to the med-surg wing allowed nurses and physical therapists to coordinate more easily, helping patients begin therapy earlier in the recovery process. This enhanced collaboration reduced the strain on both teams while improving patient outcomes.

3. Increase Workflow Efficiency and Improve Patient Outcomes

The relocation of the Joint Replacement gym had an immediate impact on workflow efficiency. By moving the gym closer to the med-surg unit, we reduced the time spent transporting patients and increased the number of daily therapy sessions, all without the need for new investments.

This initiative didn’t require significant resources, and it yielded meaningful gains in both patient throughput and staff efficiency. Nurses and physical therapists could work more effectively together, ensuring patients received timely care and helping to shorten recovery times.

4. Ensure Compliance and Infection Control Without Major Expenses

One of the challenges of any space optimization project is ensuring that the new area complies with safety and infection control standards. In this case, we worked closely with our facilities management team to meet regulatory requirements without the need for costly renovations.

We leveraged an existing water line from nearby restrooms to install handwashing stations, ensuring compliance with infection control procedures. This allowed us to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff without incurring major capital expenses, demonstrating that even low-cost solutions can uphold high standards of care.

5. Celebrate Success and Team Collaboration

Recognizing and celebrating the hard work of the teams involved is crucial in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. The success of this project was a direct result of the teamwork between physical therapy, nursing, and facilities management leaders, who collaborated to implement the relocation within a low-cost framework.

By celebrating their contributions, we reinforced the value of teamwork and demonstrated that significant operational improvements don’t always require large financial investments.

6. Monitor the Operational and Financial Impact

After the space was repurposed, we tracked the operational improvements and found that the hospital benefited from increased therapy capacity and reduced transport times. This resulted in shorter patient stays and improved patient satisfaction—positively impacting the hospital’s overall financial health, all while keeping the project within a modest budget.

Conclusion: Optimizing Space Without Major Investments

Repurposing underutilized space is a powerful way to improve efficiency and patient care without the need for major capital investments. By engaging clinical, nursing, and facilities management teams and thinking creatively about space, healthcare organizations can achieve significant operational improvements at a low cost.

This project showed that when teams collaborate to optimize existing services, the results can include increased workflow efficiency, improved patient outcomes, and financial savings—all without the need for major expenses. Healthcare leaders can make meaningful changes by leveraging the resources they already have to drive operational success.

Share your thoughts: Have you led a space optimization initiative in your healthcare facility? What tactics did you use to ensure success?