Is your hospital relocating to a new address? No matter the size of your facility or the number of patients you serve, you are sure to encounter a few hiccups along the way. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Here are the three most important things you should do when relocating your hospital.

1. Hire a Transition Planning Team

The best thing that you can do when moving your hospital from Point A to Point B is to hire a hospital transition planning team. These experts will help you figure out all the logistics of your move, including the budget, inventory assessment, equipment procurement, data transferal, service outsourcing, and patient relocation. In short, they focus on the nitty-gritty details so you can keep your attention on what matters – your patients.

2. Make Wiggle Room in Your Schedule and Budget

As the poet Robert Burns once said: “The best-laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry.” No matter how well you plan your hospital relocation, you will likely experience delays and roadblocks. Avoid going overdue and overbudget by allotting more time and funds for your relocation than you actually need. If you have spare time at the end of your relocation, you can use it to put the finishing touches on your new space. Any extra funds can go right back into your hospital’s bank account.

3. Keep Your Clients Updated

A hospital relocation can be just as difficult for patients as it is for the hospital staff. The best way to accommodate your patients during the move is to keep them informed. Let your patients know about the relocation far in advance. Post details about the relocation on your website and send out occasional project status updates via email or your patient portal. As the relocation draws nearer, display signs around your current building and have your staff verbally remind their patients during appointments.

If you do your due diligence, your hospital relocation will be as smooth and painless as possible – for both yourself and your patients.