Health systems are rethinking how they plan ambulatory and outpatient facilities as demand accelerates. According to Vizient’s 2026 Impact of Change forecast, outpatient volumes are projected to grow 20% over the next decade, compared with 7% growth in inpatient discharges. In a recent article with Becker’s Hospital Review, Rob Hennes, Vice President of Health Strategy and Consulting at Gresham Smith, discusses what this shift means for how health systems plan their facilities, including where to invest, how to connect outpatient sites and how to design spaces that can adapt as care needs change.
Hennes explains that the strategic question has evolved beyond counting buildings. He outlines how consistency across locations — through shared scheduling, standardized layouts and clear referral pathways — creates a network that’s easier to operate and navigate, while patient expectations around convenience and access continue to shape design decisions. Hennes also highlights the importance of integrated capital planning, recommending a sequenced approach — market demand, services, operations, capital, then design — to help systems build adaptable outpatient networks ready for what’s next.
Read the article, “Outpatient care and facility flexibility: The importance of network strategies,” located here.
