Blog
How Innovative Construction is Revolutionizing Rural Healthcare
Tony Yanda, Director of Project Development
In comparison to other states, Oklahoma ranks 43rd in health, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare facilities and access to modern medical services. This is especially true in rural communities where residents typically travel farther for care and limited infrastructure makes it challenging to address complex medical needs.
Expanding telehealth, increasing public health funding and promoting local workforce development can make a difference. However, the importance of investing in infrastructure – upgrading existing facilities and building new ones – cannot be understated.
Healthcare construction presents unique challenges, particularly in rural areas where resources and skilled talent may be scarce and access to specialized care is limited. But through innovation and collaboration, these obstacles can be overcome.
One challenge is the lack of construction workers. Roughly 41% of the existing construction workforce will retire by 2031, which means the industry must recruit up to half a million new workers annually to meet growing demands and the typical hiring pace. Younger professionals are more inclined to accept jobs in metropolitan cities, making it more difficult to staff rural projects. As a result, some construction firms, including The Boldt Company, are investing in youth apprenticeship programs and partnering with career technical colleges in rural areas. Doing so can help bridge the gap, inspiring the next generation of builders.
Cutting-edge industry solutions, such as prefabrication and modular construction, also can help address challenges in areas lacking resources and labor. In addition to mitigating the effects of rural labor shortages, off-site prefabrication and modular construction significantly reduce construction times (as much as 50%), providing access to care months sooner. Building patient rooms off-site, fully equipped with fixtures, reduces disruptions to healthcare services while enhancing quality and safety.
Early project collaboration and Lean construction principles are equally important in rural healthcare construction because it saves hospitals and communities money. Originating in manufacturing, Lean principles scrutinize each task to find the most efficient way to work, resulting in less waste, consistent outcomes, reliable schedules and lower costs. Adaptive reuse of an existing building, or converting an outdated facility, presents another opportunity for communities to save money.
Boldt is putting these strategies into action with healthcare projects across Oklahoma by working with community hospitals to upgrade facilities and expand access to vital medical services. These projects are more than construction endeavors – they are lifelines addressing the disparities rural communities face in health outcomes and access to care.
Everyone needs robust healthcare facilities close to home, and by investing now in thoughtful construction strategies, we can ensure every Oklahoman – no matter where they live – has access to high-quality care.
About The Boldt Company
The Boldt Company (Boldt) is a leading professional construction services firm with customers across the United States and is a subsidiary of The Boldt Group. Founded in 1889, Boldt is a fourth-generation family and employee-owned firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. Boldt is recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction and in the industrialized construction space. Boldt operates 18 offices across the U.S. that serve customers in healthcare, power, industrial, education, automotive and commercial markets.
