Sean Lamontagne, Nadeau Corporation
The catalyst? Healthcare technology advancements, specifically in cancer treatment. Nadeau expects high demand for their MedBuild construction services due to cancer treatment centers adopting a new and innovative approach that will require modifications to existing medical facilities.
Powered by patient demand and advances in Proton Beam Therapy, Nadeau trusts that their healthcare clients are going to be getting into expansion mode and begin constructing these highly successful therapy centers. In basic terms, this new approach closely targets the radiation at a tumor without radiating so much of the surrounding healthy tissue.
"It all comes down to having the latest and greatest for patients," explains Nadeau's MedBuild team leader Mark Menard. "This new therapy not only provides better results with less side effects, but it creates a marketing opportunity for the top cancer centers in our region."
Several other countries are ahead of us on the Proton Beam Therapy front, but the United States seems to finally be ready to advance this technology. According to the National Association for Proton Therapy, 14 centers have already been built in the US, with about a dozen more under development. So far, Massachusetts General Hospital is the only local organization to implement such technology and create the infrastructure. These centers traditionally have multiple examination rooms contained by giant vaults to keep protons from escaping and causing harm to caregivers and others who work or live around the facilities.
"It's a rather large undertaking," said Menard. But despite the cost, a trend that Nadeau's MedBuild team expects to emerge is the construction of smaller proton beam centers with one examination room instead of the multicenter layout. With the development of compact machine type centers, it will allow the construction of proton beam centers to become more affordable in the New England healthcare market.
Another interesting aspect of the forecast are the different models for budgeting such a significant project. Some centers in the U.S. have been created through a joint venture where one entity will assume the construction and maintenance costs, while another teams up to provide funding for staffing and operating the facility.
It's a unique opportunity for Nadeau's MedBuild Team. In a healthcare niche they have been operating in for the past 30 years, technology is constantly being upgraded. "We build state-of-the-art facilities for MRI, CT, X-rays, Labs, Surgery Centers, Operating rooms, Mammography suites, Nuclear Medicine facilities, Dialysis centers, and so much more," explained Menard. "Because of the sophisticated and specialized knowledge that is necessary during construction and installation, we have been fortunate to have lots of repeat clients in the sector."
These types of projects require significant electrical and instrumentation installation aspects that expert coordination is vital for. On top of maintaining safe, clean, and organized sites for patients that continue to visit the facility, Nadeau's team has been able to accommodate the intricate coordination of trades that is essential for success.
When planning for such complex projects, Nadeau suggests a design/build approach. With integrated project delivery and overlap, the clients generally see savings related to efficiency, fewer obstacles, and faster completion. By including Nadeau in the design stages on the front end, healthcare organizations allow for identification of problems early on and creative methodologies that can swiftly remedy those issues.
Mark and Nadeau's MedBuild Team are looking forward to helping the New England healthcare community bring in this new technology, and create a patient friendly atmosphere to go along with it.
Sean Lamontagne is director of business development for Nadeau Corporation, South Attleboro, Mass.