The Equipment Collaborative team is focused on advancing the evolution of technology in healthcare environments through our work and by educating healthcare executives and design professionals on state-of-the-art technology. 

Our firm is committed to evidence based design concepts to validate the effectiveness of technology. We have begun benchmarking certain data such as room turnover working in conjunction with owners and vendors.

Equipment Collaborative is also a research partner working with Rice University to identify the vision of healthcare technology for the future and to evaluate project delivery options. Our president, Lisa Charrin, was identified as an industry expert to join this group of research partners including owners from five hospital systems across the nation, three general contractors, and other architects, engineers, and specialty consultants. The study began with a symposium in August 2007 and will include data collection and results published later this year.

Lisa presents regularly at AIA, ASHE, Oncology and Surgery conferences. She has also been a faculty member for numerous conferences for NACHRI and the Institute for Family Centered Care on subjects related to patient safety and the integration of the patient and family into the care process.   

Recent Presentations

• Healthcare Design 2009, November 2, 2009, Orlando, Florida — AIA Technology Forum. Speakers: Lisa Charrin, AIA, ACHA, President, Equipment Collaborative and Pete O'Connor, RCDD, Principal, RTKL Associates. The convergence of medical equipment, communication systems and technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This discussion will include methods for prioitizing technology-based strategic decisions for new projects that must integrate with hospital or campus-wide technologies, as well as order of magnitude costs for project budgeting.
  
  
• AIA Houston CES Seminar, September 16, 2009, Architecture Center Houston — "Equipment Planning — It’s All About Expectations."
  Speaker: Lisa Charrin, AIA, ACHA, President, Equipment Collaborative. Every project hinges on the success of setting clear expectations.  The responsibilities of equipment planners vary tremendously depending on scope definition.  How do you ensure you have everything covered? This session included interactive dialogue and examples of matrices, deliverables, schedules, etc. to provide a deeper understanding of the role an equipment planner can have, and how to increase success through better communication and collaboration.
  
  
• ASHE 2009 International Conference and Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design and Construction (PDC), March 9, 2009, Phoenix, AZ — Technology Forum. Speakers: Lisa Charrin, AIA, ACHA, Britton Coffman and Fred Reyes discussed a range of leading medical equipment products for surgery, imaging, pharmacy and other support areas of the hospital. View Presentation
  
  
• ASHE 2009 International Conference and Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design and Construction (PDC), March 10, 2009, Phoenix, AZ — Managing Time and Resources for a Successful Patient Move.  
  Speakers:  Erin Doles, RN C, MBA, Administrator Professional and Support Services, University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital, Albuquerque; Lisa Charrin, AIA, ACHA, President, Equipment Collaborative.  Presentation highlighted the tasks, schedule and details involved with transition planning to relocate this Level One Trauma Center. View Presentation  View Paper
  
  
• Healthcare Design 2008 Conference, November 2008, Washington, DC — Technology Forum. Speakers: Lisa Charrin, AIA, ACHA; President, Equipment Collaborative; Alan Black, AIA; Vice President FKP Architects and Peter O’Connor, RCDD; Principal RTKL. The design of inpatient care environments focus on flexibility, adaptability and visibility. The forum was divided into three components including the architectural design options presented by Alan Black, medical equipment solutions presented by Lisa Charrin, and information technology considerations presented by Peter O’Connor.
  View Presentation  
  
  
• National Association of Medical Advancement, Advanced Surgical Suites and Operating Room Technology Symposium, September 2008, Chicago, IL — OR Planning Workshop: Your Suite from Blue Sky to Opening Day. Speaker: Lisa Charrin. Workshop highlighted key differences and options for the various systems on the market and strategies for planning today’s operating rooms/ interventional rooms with flexibility and adaptability in mind.
  
  
• AIA Healthcare Technology Web Seminar, May 2008.
  Options and strategies for planning today's operating rooms / interventional rooms.
  
  

• ASHE Planning Design and Construction Conference, March 2008, Orlando, FL — Managing Methods for Projects: Medical Equipment Design and Procurement. Moderator: Lisa Charrin Panelists: Janet Sisolak, Project Director, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Christopher Long, Vice President, Relocation Management Worldwide.
  View Presentation  View Paper