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From data silos to seamless integration and coordination: a data-asset centric approach to smart hospital facility management

Lingzhi Li (Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China)
Shilong Jiang (Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China)
Jingfeng Yuan (Southeast University, Nanjing, China)
Lei Zhang (Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China)
Xiaoxiao Xu (Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China)
Jing Wang (Nanjing China Construction Eighth Bureau Intelligent Technology Co., Nanjing, China)
Yilun Zhou (Nanjing China Construction Eighth Bureau Intelligent Technology Co., Nanjing, China)
Yunlong Li (Nanjing China Construction Eighth Bureau Intelligent Technology Co., Nanjing, China)
Jin Xu (Nanjing China Construction Eighth Bureau Intelligent Technology Co., Nanjing, China)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 15 October 2024

57

Abstract

Purpose

Existing hospital building operations involve numerous information technology applications and complex building systems; therefore, an intelligent facility management (FM) platform is required to ensure their continuous operation. To address the persistent issues of data silos, inefficient data interoperability, and workflow incoordination that have been identified in the current body of FM practice and literature, the present study develops a data-asset (DA) centric FM platform specifically designed for hospital buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a semi-customized approach to develop the DA-centric FM platform for hospital buildings. To elucidate the precise function requirements of the hospital FM platform, focus group interviews are employed. By seamlessly integrating the as-built BIM model, IoT sensor data and FM workflow data, the BIM-based DA model with a data transfer mechanism is developed. The development of the FM platform with function modules in a case study is guided by a five-tier architecture and the coordination theory (CT). The case study provides an in-depth introduction to the applications of DA management, space management and maintenance management modules.

Findings

The capabilities of the developed DA-centric hospital FM platform are validated through the case application and user satisfaction survey, which assess data quality, automation level, operation efficiency, flexibility and functionality. For hospital FM activities, this DA-centric FM platform realizes data integration and seamless transformation, optimizes workflow coordination and enhances operation performance.

Originality/value

The initial scholarly contribution is the establishment of the BIM-based DA model, which serves as the data middle platform for continuous data integration, transmission and sharing within the FM platform. Subsequently, under the guidance of the CT, the business process of function modules is designed, improving the intra-module and inter-module workflow coordination. The developed DA-centric FM system along with its performance benchmarking application, assists facility managers and decision-makers in implementing smart operations for hospital buildings and achieving the management goals of safety, efficiency, energy savings and convenience.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research is sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 71901120, 72301131 and 72101118), and Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. SJCX23_0482) and supported by the Qing Lan Project of Jiangsu, China.

Citation

Li, L., Jiang, S., Yuan, J., Zhang, L., Xu, X., Wang, J., Zhou, Y., Li, Y. and Xu, J. (2024), "From data silos to seamless integration and coordination: a data-asset centric approach to smart hospital facility management", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-03-2024-0274

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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