The partnership between IDR Commercial Construction Management and Christie Innomed demonstrates how turnkey construction solutions can streamline the process of upgrading medical facilities while keeping disruption to a minimum. By combining our expertise in Commercial Construction Management with Christie Innomed’s leadership in medical imaging technology, our partnership has successfully delivered cutting-edge X-ray room renovations for healthcare facilities in British Columbia.
This case study explores the challenges facilities face in X-ray room upgrades and the benefits and solutions associated with a turnkey approach in healthcare construction, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest industry standards.
Project Overview: X-Ray Room Upgrade
Healthcare renovations require a delicate balance between structural upgrades and the seamless integration of medical equipment. In collaboration with Christie Innomed, we aimed to renovate and upgrade X-ray rooms in various medical facilities across British Columbia with uninterrupted facility operations. Christie Innomed is a leading medical imaging and total healthcare IT solutions provider, encompassing planning, installation, calibration, and service, while also showcasing their radiation safety expertise and contributions to clinical workflow. For these collaborative projects, they were responsible for supplying and installing advanced X-ray equipment. At the same time, IDR handled the comprehensive Construction Management, including demolition, structural adjustments, and installation preparation with minimal facility disruptions.
Key objectives of the project included:
- Upgrading X-ray rooms across different healthcare facilities.
- Ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing medical operations.
- Meeting stringent healthcare regulations and safety standards.
- Completing the project within a fixed timeline and budget to quickly resume operations.
Project Challenges & Solutions
Renovating X-ray rooms in active healthcare facilities presents unique construction challenges, from building regulatory compliance to logistical constraints to following Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) guidelines. We encountered several hurdles throughout the projects and successfully implemented solutions to overcome them.
Challenge 1: Maintaining Healthcare Facility Operations
Medical facilities rely on X-ray rooms as an essential part of patient care. Renovating these spaces while ensuring minimal downtime was a critical challenge.
Solution: We worked closely with administrators to ensure minimal interference with electricity and water access for the facility and only during planned and limited downtimes. By securing all required materials before commencing work, we ensured efficient project execution while reducing the impact on healthcare environments. Additionally, Christie Innomed provided mobile imaging equipment to make sure x-ray services were available during construction. This allowed the medical facilities to continue providing essential diagnostic services without major disruptions.
Challenge 2: Navigating Unforeseen Structural Issues
During the demolition phase of one project, we faced unforeseen structural challenges that required rapid problem-solving to keep the project on schedule.
Solution: Our experienced project managers quickly assessed the issues, adjusted the construction plan, and implemented necessary modifications without delaying project timelines. Our ability to adapt quickly is also made possible by our comprehensive network of sub-trade partners. This allowed us to easily adapt while maintaining the integrity of the design and compliance standards ensured the project remained on track.
Challenge 3: Meeting Rigorous Healthcare Standards
Medical construction projects in Canada must adhere to strict infection control measures, minimize the effects of dust and debris, and protect against contaminants.
Solution: IDR followed rigorous IPAC protocols, including special requirements for plumbing installations and dust control to protect patients from the threats of contaminated materials. Each project that we worked on with Christie Innomed had its own particular needs and requirements that resulted in adaptation of systems to achieve the precise standards. These measures ensured that all X-ray rooms met the highest industry standards upon completion.
Working with Christie Innomed
Collaboration is a core competency. From the first on-site visit, our team’s goal is to ensure we share each facility’s vision of the project. Our integrated approach allows both teams to provide information faster to help with internal decision-making. We remain proactive and transparent throughout the project, keeping all stakeholders up-to-date with Quality Control Checkpoints.
Christie Innomed entrusted us with the structural and aesthetic upgrades necessary to support the new systems. At the same time, they managed client communication with stakeholders from the health facilities and ensured the seamless integration of advanced X-ray equipment. This collaboration allowed Christie Innomed to prioritize the technical and operational needs of the clients while we executed the construction work efficiently, ensuring each X-ray room was functional and well-designed.
The successful collaboration between IDR and Christie Innomed results in fully upgraded X-ray rooms across BC, executed on schedule while staying within the project budget. Ken Klymchuk of Christie Innomed commended IDR’s professionalism and expertise, stating:
"IDR was excellent to work with; they managed the project at all levels—on-site, project managers, and accounting stakeholders. The projects were on time and on budget. IDR assisted with ideas to improve the projects and provided all the needed documentation. I highly recommend working with IDR."
The successful partnership highlights the importance of expertise, adaptability, and collaboration in healthcare facility renovations. Christie Innomed and IDR take pride in our work and every project is a long term partnership. Each site receives full documentation of all of the products used, ownership manuals, maintenance manuals, specification cut sheets and warranties for the products.
Through meticulous planning, strategic problem-solving, and a turnkey construction model, we could upgrade X-ray rooms without compromising medical facility operations. This case study serves as a testament to the effectiveness of specialized partnerships in navigating the complexities of healthcare construction. For medical facilities looking to modernize diagnostic imaging spaces with minimal disruption, this turnkey approach provides a proven, efficient, and cost-effective solution.