Digitally Transforming Facility Management in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Key Digital Technologies and Systems

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an acceleration of digitalisation in healthcare institutions, not only in the medical field but also within non-medical, which includes facility management (FM). FM organisations are increasingly confronted with the need to digitally transform their operations and to implement new digital technologies. This paper aims at providing scholars and professionals with an overview of the various digital technologies and systems that are relevant in shaping the digital transformation. An integrative literature review has been chosen, as it provides a systematic approach to map, collate and report on key findings and concepts from the literature for researchers and practitioners. Overall, 33 articles were systematically reviewed. 22 different digital technologies and systems were identified in the literature and were added to so-called technology clusters. From all the described technologies, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is most prominently cited. Furthermore, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Digital Twins (DT), and Blockchain technologies are commonly found. Additional technologies and systems mentioned in the literature, though not further detailed, were also added within a separate cluster. This study also discusses the implications for the digital transformation which is important when introducing novel digital technologies in healthcare organisations. It is argued that FM in healthcare needs to focus on integrating technologies, both at a technological level, and particularly at an organisational and interorganisational level.