BIM in the Healthcare Sector for NHS Case Study

BIM In NHS Case Study

This case study will explain how East Sussex Healthcare Trust have been using BIM to effectively deliver their state-of-the-art MRI Scanning facility. Part of a modular development process in the Conquest Hospital, Hasting.

The main BIM contractors on this project were the Digital Engineering Studio.  They were responsible for the creation of fully coordinated, clash detected MEP models and drawings during the construction and handover phase of the project.

REBIM software team is due to be working with the Trust to deliver an efficient handover from Construction stage to the facilities management stage of the project.

Here are some key facts from the Trust and the impact that our project could have on patients.

BIM Facility Management Case Study

Below we provide an overview of the project and how BIM has helped deliver essential assets. We also explain some of the challenges that needed to be overcome to make sure the project started as and continues to be a success.

Then, there is an insight into where REBIM fits into the project and the benefits that the Facitilies Management team will gain by using the software for their ongoing asset management.

First let’s take a brief look at how BIM is having a positive impact on the healthcare sector.

BIM Benefits in the Healthcare Sector

There is a lot of talk about BIM having a big impact on the healthcare sector. Therefore, REBIM wants to be right in the middle of that transformation.

Construction in healthcare benefits from many of the same opportunities that BIM provides for the wider construction industry.

However, healthcare environments can be much more complex. Therefore benefiting even more than standard construction programmes, such as office buildings.

Hospitals are also associated with health and well-being of the general public. This adds significant weight to the benefits of BIM.

It’s important that once the project is handed over to operations and maintenance, that the building environment is updated in line with the necessary requirements. REBIM is here to assist with that.

There is a solid case for BIM at both the construction stage and operations & maintenance stage of any healthcare project. What’s more REBIM is in a strong position to help make BIM asset management a success, on any project.

Who Are Digital Engineering Studio?

Digital Engineering Studio is a professional Building Information Modelling (BIM) outsource provider that specialises in the creation of fully coordinated, clash detected MEP models and drawings for the construction sector.

Modelling procedures place great emphasis on the importance of operation, access and maintenance of the systems.

BIM Requirement for a Healthcare MRI Scanning Facility

The project, which is due to be completed by the end of summer 2019, is part of a wider project to provide a safe and custom-built environment to manage both, patients with complex conditions and those patients requiring general anaesthesia.

The main reason for the new facility is that the existing system at the hospital is outdated. The outcome will be delivery of two wide bore Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners so the Trust can meet the increasing demand for MRI scans within the local population.

David Clayton Smith and associates at the Sod Cutting Ceremony – Image source: https://www.esht.nhs.uk/2018/12/14/sod-cutting-ceremony-marks-start-of-construction-of-a-new-mri-scanner-suite

A Modular Development For The NHS Trust

Adding to the complexities of the project was the need for a modular development, something which NHS trusts, in general, are very keen on.

Off-site manufacture (in a factory) means that quality can be controlled more tightly in the factory and is also better for reducing time on site which reduces safety risks and saves money.

Goals, Challenges & BIM Benefits In A Healthcare Environment

The ongoing goals, as in any construction or BIM, are to help ensure the success of end results. We achieve this by working alongside project team members, towards objectives such as:

• Streamline the design process
• Generate virtual representations of physical and functional characteristics of a building
• Simplify what could be seen as a very complicated structure
• Help deliver on-time and schedule
• Ensure sustainability for the facility through successful facilities management
• Allow for better cost estimation and ongoing facilities management

Here are the Top 3 Challenges The Project Faced

Timescales

We had a tight programme that required MEP systems, designing and modelling, in order to provide the factory positions for cutting builders work penetrations.

Plant deck

We had a lot of equipment to fit on the roof. Making the best use of this space and ensuring equipment was accessible, was a significant challenge.

Not all parties worked in BIM.

There were certain sub-contractors who were only able to provide CAD files. This made coordination of services tricky with no 3D geometry to coordinate against.

BIM Development Benefits

What’s more, the benefits of BIM in this project were as follows:

• Conflict resolution in a digital environment, builders work penetrations cut ahead of services being delivered.
• More stakeholder engagement. End users could see how each of their rooms would look prior to work beginning.
• Reduced time on site, increased productivity and prefabrication.

Core BIM Project Tasks Delivered

Providing M&E Design & a co-ordinated BIM Model

Co-ordinating the positioning of mechanical & electrical assets, while ensuring easy access and a collaborative approach to changes was crucial. A key part of this was to avoid conflicts in the M&E environment.

Fast access to a co-ordinated BIM model meant all teams working on the project could access important information and adapt as and when they immediately needed it.

Providing Installation Drawing for M&E Contractors

The efficient production and management of installation drawings is always a key driver of successful project outcomes. And it was imperative to ensure installation drawings were accessed by the right people at the right time.

Contractors who were working on the project needed to see changes and evolving conceptions as soon as possible – so they could deliver any changes to their designs, if necessary.

Producing Internal and External Penetration Details for Manufacture at Factory

Producing penetration details for the holes – in walls, floors and roofs – for services.

Some of these required the building to be separated into different fire compartments.

These compartments will need to be maintained for the fire strategy to work so sizing and constructing the penetrations correctly is paramount.

Providing Insights Throughout The Project

Attending design meetings and having continuous involvement in the project was crucial to having

strong communication throughout the development meant better co-ordination of core assets.

Using REBIM for Handover

REBIM is due to be the system which will enable a successful handover for BIM in facilities management. It will be used as the core Enterprise Asset Management system for the ongoing maintenance of the brand new facility at East Sussex NHS Trust.