CHC Project Planning & Delivery 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes a Master Plan from a Facility Assessment in healthcare construction planning?
- A Master Plan documents existing deficiencies; a Facility Assessment sets long-term development goals
- A Master Plan sets long-term development strategy; a Facility Assessment evaluates current physical and functional conditions (Correct answer)
- A Master Plan is required by CMS; a Facility Assessment is optional
- They are interchangeable terms for the same planning document
Correct answer: A Master Plan sets long-term development strategy; a Facility Assessment evaluates current physical and functional conditions
A Facility Assessment evaluates the current state of a facility, while a Master Plan charts strategic growth and capital project sequencing over time.
Question 2: In a healthcare construction project, which scheduling method is best suited for sequencing complex, interdependent activities across multiple floors simultaneously?
- Bar chart (Gantt) schedule
- Critical Path Method (CPM) with activity precedence relationships (Correct answer)
- Milestone schedule only
- Linear scheduling method
Correct answer: Critical Path Method (CPM) with activity precedence relationships
CPM with precedence relationships (finish-to-start, start-to-start, etc.) accurately models complex interdependencies and identifies the true critical path.
Question 3: A hospital is constructing a new patient tower adjacent to the existing facility. What is the PRIMARY infection control concern during the site work and foundation phase?
- Noise levels exceeding OSHA limits
- Dust and airborne particulate infiltration into the occupied building (Correct answer)
- Vibration from heavy equipment affecting sensitive laboratory equipment
- Fuel spills from construction equipment
Correct answer: Dust and airborne particulate infiltration into the occupied building
Excavation and earthwork generate large amounts of dust containing fungal spores (e.g., Aspergillus) that pose severe risks to immunocompromised patients if they infiltrate the existing facility.
Question 4: During value engineering on a healthcare project, a proposed substitution reduces first cost but has a higher life-cycle cost. How should the CHC present this trade-off to the owner?
- Accept the substitution since first cost reduction is the goal of value engineering
- Reject it outright as it violates value engineering principles
- Present total cost of ownership analysis showing both first cost savings and long-term operational cost impact (Correct answer)
- Defer the decision to the architect without providing cost data
Correct answer: Present total cost of ownership analysis showing both first cost savings and long-term operational cost impact
Value engineering evaluates life-cycle cost, not just first cost; presenting total cost of ownership allows the owner to make an informed decision.
Question 5: Which submittal type provides the contractor's planned approach for a specific work scope, such as concrete mix design or infection control, for the engineer's review?
- Request for Information (RFI)
- Shop drawing
- Method statement / Work plan (Correct answer)
- Change order proposal
Correct answer: Method statement / Work plan
A method statement or work plan details how the contractor intends to execute a specific activity, allowing the engineer or infection control officer to review the approach.
Question 6: What is the role of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) during a healthcare construction project?
- To fund the construction through state grants
- To review, approve, and inspect the project for compliance with applicable codes and regulations (Correct answer)
- To perform quality control testing on structural materials
- To manage the owner's project budget and schedule
Correct answer: To review, approve, and inspect the project for compliance with applicable codes and regulations
The AHJ (typically the state health department and/or local building department) reviews plans, issues permits, and conducts inspections to ensure code compliance.
Question 7: A healthcare contractor is preparing a phasing plan for an occupied hospital renovation. Which factor MOST directly dictates the sequence of construction phases?
- Contractor's preferred crew deployment strategy
- Maintaining continuous patient care operations and department functionality (Correct answer)
- Minimizing total project duration regardless of disruption
- Achieving the lowest material cost through bulk purchasing
Correct answer: Maintaining continuous patient care operations and department functionality
Healthcare construction phasing must be designed around continuous patient care, ensuring departments remain operational and patient safety is never compromised.
CHC Project Planning & Delivery 3
What distinguishes a Master Plan from a Facility Assessment in healthcare construction planning?