Key performance indicators for maintenance of hospital buildings

Maintenance management of hospital buildings is one of the more complex issues in the field of maintenance. The performance and operation of hospital buildings are affected by numerous factors. These include hospital occupancy relative to standard occupancy, age of buildings, and building surroundings. The purpose of this research was to quantify the effects of users, building characteristics and systems on the buildings’ performance and maintenance. The following factors were investigated: 1. Overall performance of the building: A Building Performance Indicator (BPI), based on systematic performance and maintenance rating scales, was used to monitor the building’s performance.
2. Age of the building: A high correlation was found, using a Life Cycle Cost analysis, between maintenance expenditures and the age of a hospital building.
3. Building’s level of occupancy: The maintenance labor inputs of two identical hospitalization wards with different occupancy levels were compared over a period of 3 years. The results showed that maintenance labor inputs for the higher occupancy ward (133% of the standard) were 22% higher than for the other ward. 4. Level of labor outsourcing: The financial benefits of outsourcing maintenance activities were investigated through a field survey. Facilities with high occupancy levels and frequent breakdowns were compared with facilities with standard occupancy levels that practice preventive maintenance extensively. It was found that for standard occupancy facilities, outsourcing of maintenance resulted in a saving of 8% of the overall maintenance expenditure. For facilities with high occupancy levels, use of in-house labor resulted in a 6% decrease in maintenance expenditures. The coefficients and diagrams developed were integrated into 4 Key Performance Indicators for Hospital Buildings. The model was examined in 6 Case studies one of which is presented.