A Rational Argument: 5 Reasons Why Hospitals Should Implement Parking Fees
Republished with permission from the Southwest Parking & Transportation Association (SWPTA) blog.
By Andy Cushman, CAPP
Parking at hospitals has been a subject of ongoing debate, with proponents arguing for free parking to alleviate patient and family burdens, while others advocate for charging for parking to enhance the overall healthcare experience. Charging for hospital parking goes beyond mere revenue generation; it provides a strategic solution to address parking shortages and efficiently manage parking facilities. By implementing a parking fee system, hospitals can create a more balanced and accessible parking environment for patients, visitors, and staff alike. While these arguments for parking fees will not be universal, as every hospital is different and every hospital has varying capacities for overall parking, they will lay the groundwork for the benefits of parking fees and hopefully help break the stigma surrounding paid parking at hospitals.
1. Optimizing Availability
High demand for hospital parking often leads to overcrowding and frustration for patients and their families who may already be dealing with stressful medical situations. Charging for parking is a powerful deterrent for non-essential visitors and staff members seeking free parking spaces. With a fee in place, those who genuinely need access to the hospital’s services are more likely to secure parking closer to the medical facilities.
2. Prioritizing Patients and Families
Implementing tiered pricing strategies that prioritize patients and their immediate family members can significantly impact their overall experience. Offering discounted or validated parking for patients and their families demonstrates a commitment to their well-being and reduces the financial burden of prolonged hospital visits. Hospitals can create a more compassionate and patient-centric atmosphere by prioritizing their parking needs.
3. Efficient Staff Management
Controlling parking facilities not only benefits patients and visitors but also provides a viable solution for managing staff parking. Hospitals are often sprawling complexes with diverse staff members, including medical professionals, support staff, and administrators. By enforcing parking rules through a controlled parking system, hospitals can ensure that staff park in designated areas, freeing up spaces closer to patient care areas for patients and visitors.
4. Streamlined Operations
Introducing a parking fee system allows hospitals to streamline parking operations and improve overall efficiency. Automated parking systems, ticketing machines, and contactless payment options can simplify the process, reducing the burden on hospital staff responsible for managing parking logistics. This efficiency can lead to quicker turnover times for parking spaces, ensuring that patients and visitors can find available spots without unnecessary delays.
5. Funding Improvements
The revenue generated from parking fees can be reinvested in upgrading and expanding hospital parking facilities. With a reliable revenue stream, hospitals can enhance existing parking structures, create additional parking spaces, implement smart parking systems, offer shuttle services to facilitate easy access for patients and visitors and implement technology-driven solutions like real-time parking availability updates through mobile apps. These improvements lead to a smoother and more convenient experience, making navigating the hospital campus a seamless process for patients, visitors, and staff.
Conclusion
The issue of parking at hospitals has sparked ongoing debates between advocates of free parking and those supporting parking fees. However, it is evident that implementing a parking fee system goes beyond mere revenue generation. It is a strategic solution to address parking shortages and manage facilities efficiently, leading to a more balanced and accessible parking environment for patients, visitors, and staff. While the arguments for parking fees may not be universally applicable due to varying hospital capacities, they lay the groundwork for recognizing the benefits of such a system and aiming to break the stigma associated with paid hospital parking. Through charging for parking, hospitals can optimize availability by deterring non-essential visitors and prioritizing patients and families by offering discounts and validations, creating a more compassionate atmosphere. Additionally, efficient staff management and streamlined operations can be achieved by enforcing parking rules and implementing automated systems. Moreover, the revenue generated can be reinvested in parking facility improvements and other healthcare enhancements, ultimately leading to a more positive healthcare experience for all involved.
Andy Cushman, CAPP, is the National Director of Business Development, Healthcare Services for LAZ Parking. He can be reached at acushman@lazparking.com.