Physical Environment Affects Patient Care

Without a facilities management team in place, compliance risk needs, and aging healthcare facilities and infrastructures leave the potential disruption to patient care at a high rate.

JLL will provide management to 19 LifeCare freestanding and hospital-in-hospital facilities.

PLANO, TX—For healthcare providers, the physical environment of care affects patient well being and the ability of the caregiver team to deliver the best possible patient outcomes. With healthcare facilities and infrastructures aging, the potential disruption to patient care is high. Compounding that responsibility is compliance risk.

As a way to tackle some of those issues head on, LifeCare Health Partners has engaged JLL in a broad-reaching facilities management agreement. The five-year agreement includes maintenance, security, oversight of environmental services, physical plant, capital planning and technology services. JLL will provide services to 19 freestanding and hospital-in-hospital facilities that serve chronically ill and medically complex patients in nine states.

“Through this partnership, we are adopting a strategic, holistic approach to facilities management that will help us reduce operating costs and compliance risks while improving the patient experience,” said Frank Battafarano, president and chief operating officer of LifeCare Health Partners. “We will rely on JLL’s team of healthcare experts, which includes former joint commission leaders who possess deep healthcare operational experience and understand the critical role of the physical environment in improving patient outcomes.”

This facilities management partnership will provide LifeCare with greater efficiency and an improved ability to enhance patient trust and comfort.

“Not only does our partnership highlight LifeCare’s dedication to improving the patient and family experience, but it also demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the work environment for medical personnel,” said Michael Marsh, managing director, South Central region, JLL healthcare solutions.

JLL also advances clinical outcomes and improves financial performance through real estate and facilities solutions. JLL helps healthcare organizations identify opportunities and risks, improve the productivity of assets, and ensure all aspects of facilities reach high levels of quality, compliance and safety. As a provider of healthcare facility management services with more than 540 hospital clients, JLL healthcare’s team of 2,100 dedicated professionals supports 347 million square feet of healthcare facilities.

“Through our collaborative partnership, LifeCare gains access to a wealth of JLL experts, resources, tools and established best practices which will ensure the system continues to advance its mission of improving the quality of life for patients,” Marsh tells GlobeSt.com.

LifeCare Health Partners, headquartered in Plano, TX, encompasses the LifeCare Family of Hospitals as well as a variety of post-acute services including transitional care, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health treatment and home-based care.