Cantonal healthcare planning, which has predicted an increase in needs, coupled with the need to constantly modernise and streamline establishments, has led the HUG to anticipate and plan for the needs of tomorrow.
Expanding and renovating buildings
Besides the Laboratories and Research Building, which commenced operation in spring 2015, the HUG are currently building a new hospital building (BdL 2) and the third phase of the Maternity Hospital. Other projects will start in the next few years. For example, the expansion of the adult emergency department is currently under consideration, to address the fact that it is repeatedly exceeding its current capacity of 60,000 consultations per year and to help reduce waiting times. The Trois-Chêne hospital must also be expanded to cope with the increase in elderly care. Finally, renovating BdL 1, increasing the capacity in psychiatry, and completing the fourth and final stage of the Maternity Hospital are all additional priorities.
By building new areas, and optimising what already exists, we can free up space to meet new needs. For example, a proper outpatient treatment centre is expected to be set up in the space vacated by certain laboratories. With a brand new concept of patient welcome and coordination of care, it would help to address the increase in this activity, which has risen 5% per year since 2010. Another example is the creation of a central purchasing department shared with the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), which includes rehabilitating areas in the basement of the main building, in a strategic location.
Modernising equipmenté
To keep up to date with technology and take advantage of technical innovations, the acquisition of various equipment is planned in the next few years. Some examples: operating rooms in several fields - particularly interventional cardiology and neurosurgery - will benefit from imaging technologies that meet the highest academic standards. Automation is set to be introduced in the field of microbiology examinations, and surgical support equipment promoting the accuracy and safety of technical interventions is strongly recommended.
Continuing to develop the information system
The nerve centre of any business, Geneva University Hospitals' information system has undergone an impressive transformation in recent years. The new challenges for this system relate to the growing needs of employees and the constant upgrading of resources according to changing medical and paramedical technologies. The development of mobile solutions is another major challenge, as is the digital production of all new equipment.
Adapting operations
The aforementioned modernisations and developments will all involve extremely important changes in terms of the way facilities are operated. The generalisation of twin rooms will create a different way of working for caregivers and cleaning staff. The new building entrances will dramatically change the flow of patients, visitors and professionals. The increase in intake capacity will affect staffing and human resource management. These three examples alone demonstrate the major paradigm shift that the HUG is set to face in coming years.