The impact of implementing Facilities Management and Safety (FMS) standards on the reliability of operating hospital utilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Facilities Management (FM) is of great importance to operate and manage buildings. However, health care facilities require greater attention and efficiency due to the nature of the client and the services provided by the facility. Safety considerations have always been limited to fire safety and site safety precautions, but Facilities Management and Safety (FMS) highlights aspects of potential hazards that directly or indirectly would affect patient safety.
The research investigating the effectiveness and impact of applying the (FMS) accreditation standards on the efficiency and reliability of hospitals operation and patients’ safety. In addition to defining the challenges facing the application of these standards. The research uses a mixed methodology to collect primary data through observation, interviews and questionnaires, and to collect secondary data obtained from the hospitals' reports in addition to the data, statistics, articles, and published books.
The analysis of the research resulted in the conclusion that there is a positive effect of applying (FM) standards on the efficiency of the operation of the healthcare facility, and therefore on patient safety. However, it has been noted that some of accredited healthcare facilities need to maintain their compliance level during the accreditation life cycle. Moreover, the research identified the challenges that facing hospital in complying with Facilities Management and Safety (FMS) accreditation standards. Financial barriers, qualified human resources, governmental procurement regulations, resistance of change, and type of management are the main identified challenges. Moreover, the research found potential correlation between the efficiency of FM and FM contractual model. Hence, the author recommending further research investigating the reasons behind the effect of type of FM model (In-house or Outsourced) on the efficiency of FM operation. Furthermore, procurement regulation and contract management may need to be investigated in order to be developed to meet the needs of FM operation.

Date of Award	20 Jan 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Neil J Carhart (Supervisor) & Andrew Crossley (Supervisor)