Joseph Simone of Simone Development Sees More Automation Coming to Doctors’ Offices
Patients visiting their primary care providers will see considerable evidence of technology becoming more prevalent in the examination room, according to Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies. Simone said doctors use laptop computers during visits; examination equipment is now digital and wi-fi connected; and office staffers communicate with patients by text or email.
Simone Development, a leading developer of state-of-the-are healthcare facilities, has accommodated technology’s growing presence by building examination rooms with high-speed internet ports and increased electrical wiring for the new gear. Now the pandemic is accelerating other healthcare trends, particularly touchless tech and automation.
“We’ve already seen hands-free technology at work with hand sanitizer stations and hand-washing sinks. The endless need to sanitize surfaces to avoid contagion has some medical providers asking their landlords to modify interior doors so that they will automatically open when someone approaches,” said Joe Simone.
“Illness screening protocols will require many of these automated doors to be connected to thermal sensors at entrances, where the devices will temperature check visitors before doors open. Medical office landlords should expect to install more thermal sensors as the technology becomes more affordable,” Joseph Simone added.
Simone said medical office builders will also have to consider how they will build self-sanitizing examination or waiting rooms and which technologies—ultraviolet lights, ceiling misting systems or others—will work best for tomorrow’s medical practices.
Simone Development’s architects are already incorporating into their designs the post-pandemic protocols that will become permanent, while allowing space flexibility to incorporate tomorrow’s demands.
Joseph Simone of Simone Development Sees Pandemic Resulting in Remarkable Transformations in Healthcare Delivery
In one year of pandemic there have been remarkable transformations in healthcare delivery, according to Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies.
“Practices that were once on the periphery, such as telemedicine and touch-free check-in, have become routine even for many patients who might have resisted them in pre-pandemic times. At the same time, health providers were forced to quickly redesign layouts of their facilities because of new demands from social distancing,” said Joe Simone, whose company is a leading developer of healthcare facilities.
Post-pandemic, Simone expects most health providers to convert temporary social distancing measures into permanent policies. In the short term, social distancing reminders like floor markers and hand sanitizer stations will remain. “As health providers turn to longer-term and more expensive social-distance solutions, we’ll see an overhaul in waiting room design, as providers replace old furniture with seating that is easy to wipe and disinfect. Waiting rooms may also expand, as the need to accommodate safely distanced patients continues,” said Joe Simone.
“In future construction or renovations, we may see buildings with wider hallways or multiple, one-way hallways with doors or turnstiles that only permit one-way entry or exit. More examination rooms and waiting rooms will become negative pressure environments. The need for negative pressure will require enhanced ventilation systems with new air-filtering technologies,” Simone said. “We welcome this transformation in healthcare delivery because all patients deserve peace of mind when seeking essential care and preventive medicine,” he added.
Joseph Simone of Simone Healthcare Development Participates in Forum on State of Healthcare Sector
Joseph Simone of Simone Healthcare Development recently participated as a panelist in a virtual forum featuring healthcare leaders on the state of the healthcare sector.
Simone, whose company is a leading developer of healthcare facilities, described how a consumer push to lower medical costs is causing a proliferation in out-patient services and medical procedures. An exploding aging population is also driving profound change. “Today there are 50 million people in the United States over the age of 65,” said Joe Simone. “In the next 10 years alone, the over 65 population is going to grow by 20 million people. We have to become more efficient and effective in treating this aging population,” he added.
He also discussed the trend toward the “bedless” hospital, such as the one that Simone built for Montefiore in the Bronx where a patient comes in for a procedure in the morning and leave the same day. “The strides in technology and healthcare now require a lot less patient recovery time,” he noted.
Simone said that today’s most important technology trend is how Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to transform how healthcare is delivered. He said AI will help increase productivity and the efficiency of care delivery and allow healthcare systems to provide more and better care to more people.
He also said the huge growth under way in biotech and life sciences will also have tremendous impact on healthcare and how it is delivered. Outpatient and urgent care facilities will continue to grow and so will the use of telemedicine. “Today healthcare is technically sick care. It is not really healthcare because we are treating people who are ill. In the future we are going to have true healthcare which is preventive care and creating a plan for each individual patient’s needs,” he said.
The forum, which was held March 10, is part of series of State of the Economy programs presented by the Business Council of Westchester.
Joseph Simone of Simone Health Development Comments on Trends Transforming Healthcare
Joseph Simone of Simone Health Development recently participated as a panelist in a virtual forum featuring healthcare leaders discussing the state of the healthcare sector.
Simone, whose company is a leading developer of healthcare facilities, described how a consumer push to lower medical costs is causing a proliferation in out-patient services and medical procedures. An exploding aging population is also driving profound change. “Today there are 50 million people in the United States over the age of 65,” said Joe Simone. “In the next 10 years alone, the over 65 population is going to grow by 20 million people. We have to become more efficient and effective in treating this aging population,” he added.
He also discussed the trend toward the “bedless” hospital, such as the one that Simone Health built for Montefiore in the Bronx where a patient comes in for a procedure in the morning and leaves the same day. “The strides in technology and healthcare now require a lot less patient recovery time,” he noted.
Simone said that today’s most important technology trend is how Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform how healthcare is delivered. He said AI will help increase productivity and the efficiency of care delivery and allow healthcare systems to provide more and better care to more people.
Simone also said the huge growth under way in biotech and life sciences will have tremendous impact on healthcare. And he noted that outpatient and urgent care facilities will continue to grow and so will the use of telemedicine. “Today healthcare is technically sick care. It is not really healthcare because we are treating people who are ill. In the future we are going to have true healthcare which is preventive care and creating a plan for each individual patient’s needs,” he said.
The forum, which was held March 10, is part of series of State of the Economy programs presented by the Business Council of Westchester.
Post-COVID Medical Delivery
In one year of pandemic we’ve seen remarkable transformations in health care delivery.
Practices that were once on the periphery, such as telemedicine and touch-free check-in, have become routine even for many patients who might have resisted them in pre-pandemic times. At the same time, health providers were forced to quickly redesign layouts of their facilities because of new demands from social distancing.
Post-pandemic, Simone Healthcare Development expects most health providers to convert temporary social distancing measures into permanent policies. In the short term, social distancing reminders like floor markers and hand sanitizer stations will remain. As health providers turn to longer-term and more expensive social-distance solutions, we’ll see an overhaul in waiting room design, as providers replace old furniture with seating that is easy to wipe and disinfect. Waiting rooms may also expand, as the need to accommodate safely distanced patients continues.
In future construction or renovations, we may see buildings with wider hallways or multiple, one-way hallways with doors or turnstiles that only permit one-way entry or exit. More examination rooms and waiting rooms will become negative pressure environments. The need for negative pressure will require enhanced ventilation systems with new air-filtering technologies.
Simone Healthcare Development welcomes this transformation in health care delivery because all patients deserve peace of mind when seeking essential care and preventive medicine.
Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, Announces Completion of Two Leases Totaling More Than 17,000 SF at Industrial/Office Property in White Plains, NY
Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies has announced the completion of two new leases totaling more than 17,000 square feet at the firm’s 55 Lafayette Avenue property in White Plains, NY. Westchester County Government has leased nearly 10,000 square feet and Sila Services, LLC, an HVAC and plumbing service company, leased 7,250 square feet at the property.
“The tenants were attracted to the property’s prime location and convenient access to the Bronx River Parkway, State Route 22, the White Plains CBD and the North White Plains Metro North station,” said Joseph Simone. “Prime warehouse space with parking is at a premium in Lower Westchester County and we are excited to welcome these two quality tenants to 55 Lafayette Avenue.”
Joe Simone said the property at 55 Lafayette Avenue is a prime mixed-use industrial/office featuring 17,000 square feet of warehouse space and 4,500 square feet of office space. The warehouse space feature 12- to 16-foot ceiling heights and three overhead doors with direct loading to each floor. The property offers on-site parking flanked by two large parking areas. There is no available space left and the property is fully occupied.
Joseph Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, Repositioning Long Island Property for Last Mile Distribution Facility
Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, a leading investor and developer of industrial and healthcare properties throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, recently unveiled plans for the renovation and repositioning of its newly acquired 60,000 square-foot warehouse/distribution property in Carle Place, NY to meet the demand for high-quality last mile distribution facilities in Western Nassau County, Long Island.
“As a developer, it is truly exciting to acquire such a well-situated property and have the ability to convert it to meet the growing need for quality last mile distribution space,” said Joseph Simone. “The demand for this type of space, particularly in Western Nassau County where inventory is sparse, was accelerating rapidly even before the COVID crisis. Today, as online purchasing has become a necessity rather than a convenience, the demand is stronger than ever.”
Simone Development acquired the vacant single story-light industrial/warehouse property 40 Voice Road in Carle Place from Ansaco Properties LLC. The 60,000 square-foot property on four acres includes 5,000 square feet of office space, heavy power and currently has three drive-in bays, two loading docks, 16-foot ceilings and parking for 90 standard vehicles. Simone will renovate the property to suit a single tenant, adding additional loading docks and developing 2.75 acres of additional paved parking area on currently vacant space to accommodate tractor trailer, delivery truck and additional vehicular parking. The property is conveniently located near major highways and within 30 minutes of NYC airports and five minutes from LIRR Carle Place Station.