Page 17 - Cannabis News Florida Dec 2020

HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

New Baptist Health Facility Brings Comprehensive

Health and Wellness Services to Broward

Baptist Health’s wellness and medical complex in Plantation. OR

A virtual ribbon-cutting event officially welcomed a new, convenient option for the
residents of Broward County with the opening of Baptist Health’s wellness and medical
complex in Plantation. The new 112,000-square-foot facility, located at 1228 South
Pine Island Road, just north of I-595, is an addition to the healthcare landscape in cen-
tral Broward County.
Individuals living and working in Plantation and the surrounding communities now
have access to a full range of integrated health and wellness services – including urgent
care, primary care, endocrinology, cardiology, cancer care, orthopedics, spine care and
more – all under one roof.
Orthopedic and physical therapy services were the first to open to patients, followed
by urgent care, diagnostic imaging, primary care and endocrinology. All services will be
open to care for patients by mid-January.

Physical Therapy Suite

“Bounce Bank” Is Key

The COVID-19 crisis is further fueling expo-
nential growth in telehealth. There has been a
four-fold increase in the share of patients schedul-
ing online appointments since the start of the pan-
demic. Virtual visits between patients and health-
care providers are projected to reach one billion in
2020 alone.
Concern over reimbursement is the key issue
cited by physicians as a potential barrier to tele-
health expansion. The CARES Act of March 2020
significantly expanded access to, and coverage for,
telehealth services. Consumer demand for flexi-
bility and convenience suggests that telehealth is BY ALEXANDER
here to stay, although usage levels are expected to BROWN
drop post-COVID.
Parity for in-person and virtual visits is critical
to the continued utilization and broader adoption of telehealth by providers.
While telehealth affords providers the ability to downsize their space needs, it
also creates the opportunity to expand services. Telehealth is set to have a con-
tinued impact on the location and provision of healthcare services. It is viewed
as complimentary to, rather than a complete substitute for, in-person care.
Post-COVID, while telehealth usage will remain prevalent, we also antici-
pate a “bounce back” in office visits as clients regain their comfort with trav-
eling to in-person care. The “bounce-back” is key. Remember that cities are
backed-up in permitting, mainly because they reduced head count during the
pandemic. As the world may soon re-open, you may need additional time in
the office construction process for permitting and inspections. I’d estimate 8 –
12 months for tenant improvements which normally take 6 months.
Architecture

For more information, contact Alexander.Brown@colliers.com.
Engineering
Interiors
Planning GreshamSmith.com
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20 December 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News