Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) Practice Exam

What is the recommended action if a facility's FCI is excessively high?

1. Perform maintenance immediately

2. Undertake a complete renovation

3. Conduct a facility assessment

4. Ignore, as it will improve over time

The correct answer is: Conduct a facility assessment

A facility's Facility Condition Index (FCI) is a critical metric used to assess the overall condition of the facility's physical assets. When the FCI is excessively high, it indicates that the facility is in poor condition and likely requires intervention to maintain safety and operational effectiveness. Conducting a facility assessment is the most practical and strategic response. This assessment allows healthcare constructors and administrators to comprehensively evaluate the condition of the facility, determine the specific areas that require attention, and prioritize necessary repairs or upgrades. The assessment gathers vital data on the physical state of the building, helping to understand the scope of any issues and the resources needed to rectify them. While performing immediate maintenance may seem prudent, it does not address underlying problems that may contribute to the high FCI. A complete renovation might be considered too extensive and expensive if it's not warranted based on a thorough evaluation. Ignoring the situation is not a viable option, as facilities do not improve naturally without intervention, especially those showing signs of deterioration. Thus, undertaking a facility assessment is essential for informed decision-making about the direction to take—whether it leads to maintenance, renovations, or other corrective actions.