--- title: MacGyver works on TV, but he’s too risky for hospital facilities work description: Explore the challenges and insights related to aging employees in the workforce. image: https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/10.png --- [ BACK ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights) Content Aging Employees # MacGyver works on TV, but he’s too risky for hospital facilities work ![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/website-images/ae7e3599af1e858e9bbc145fa5a2e27e1963d5cb.png) [ Peter Martin ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/author/peter-martin) 04 Jun 2025 • 4 min read #### Contents #### Contributors [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/website-images/ae7e3599af1e858e9bbc145fa5a2e27e1963d5cb.png) Peter Martin ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/contributors/peter-martin) [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/1742094544823-1.jpeg) Michael Hatton ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/contributors/michael-hatton) [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/1657314765058.jpeg) Skanda V. Skandaverl ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/contributors/skanda-v.-skandaverl) Share this post [![Facebook](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/website-images/Share%20Button%20(2).svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/aging-employees) [![Twitter](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/website-images/Share%20Button%20(1).svg) ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/aging-employeese&text=&via=&hashtags=) [![Linkedin](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/website-images/Share%20Button.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/aging-employees&title=MacGyver%20works%20on%20TV,%20but%20he’s%20too%20risky%20for%20hospital%20facilities%20work) "MacGyvering" — a term borrowed from the TV show “MacGyver,” refers to improvising quick fixes using limited tools and resources. Watch the full episode:  [![YouTube Logo](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/YouTube_2024.svg) ](https://youtu.be/rQW-SbsivKI?si=ShSmDgA8A1zDzFCZ) [![Apple Podcasts Logo](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/Apple%20Podcasts%20Logo%20Vector-1.svg) ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aging-crisis-in-healthcare-facilities-management/id1508513507?i=1000705807958) [![Spotify Logo](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spotify_logo_with_text.svg.png?width=147&height=44&name=Spotify_logo_with_text.svg.png) ](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SztptroFBWYye4INjlNsw?si=b745a0e22a944002)   ## MacGyvering MacGyvering has been a staple in healthcare facilities management for years, if not decades. But it produces several negative impacts on healthcare facilities management, especially when used as a long- term approach rather than a temporary solution. According to Skanda Skandaverl and Mike Hatton in the video “The Aging Crisis in Healthcare Facilities Management,” the consequences of relying upon a MacGyvering approach include: 1. Masks Deeper Infrastructure Problems: MacGyvering often patches symptoms, not root causes. This delays needed capital investments and allows small issues to evolve into system-wide failures. 2. Creates Safety and Compliance Risk: Workarounds may not meet regulatory standards, especially in life safety systems, HVAC, or electrical. Improvised fixes can introduce code violations or even patient safety hazards, putting the hospital at risk during inspections. 3. Inhibits Knowledge Transfer: Longtime facility staff often “MacGyver” solutions based on personal knowledge. These fixes are undocumented, which prevents institutional knowledge from being passed on to younger or incoming employees. 4. Normalizes Subpar Practices: When MacGyvering becomes the norm, it erodes a culture of preventive maintenance and best practices. Over time, this creates an acceptance of band aiding to“just make it work” rather than pursuing long-term, code- compliant solutions. 5. Increases Long-Term Costs: Short-term fixes may seem cheaper, but they often lead to costlier repairs or replacements down the line. They can also lead to unexpected failures, resulting in downtime, emergency expenses, and operational disruption. MacGyvering is not a sustainable strategy for managing critical healthcare infrastructure. Skanda and Mike argue that the field must move toward strategic planning, modern tools, and skilled workforce development to replace MacGyver’s culture of improvisation, which worked on television. --- ## Conclusion We have known of and talked about an impending grey tsunami of retirements from healthcare facilities management for years. Discussing the tsunami without taking action is one of the reasons we created the Healthcare Facilities Network: To publicize the opportunity. We are now in the middle of that tsunami, and the wave shows no signs of receding any time soon. The Aging Crisis is expanding, not constricting. And MacGyvering as an industry practice must end. ---   Listen to the full episode:  [![YouTube Logo](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/YouTube_2024.svg) ](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkl1WGRDNnhEcm1Wc1NYa3VMYWdISzVfQmZmQXxBQ3Jtc0trb2VjV05lRG5OYXR2MVg3MFZTX2txQlBsU0N6Wlluc3pKVFdXamxZYkZxWG52ZkdubVdPaTJTU0NnOFlqbWFvVlR4YWhMemRTam9vRmRSTTdpdzVfeFFELTc5ak85Y2VLdTU0UUhDRGtudUtyZDJTaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com%2F&v=rQW-SbsivKI) [ ![Apple Podcasts-1](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apple%20Podcasts-1.png?width=198&height=42&name=Apple%20Podcasts-1.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3N3SXBEUy1PTlNrNmU0bm1rWjZROHRUQlBUUXxBQ3Jtc0tuNGNMWmgxbmJfdXc5ZFJoZktOS19WNm83ZW5UcjVGVGI4Q2E5cVJNSHN2MlctWE94SWV1cGE3VEk5YVBjMTVrNEFvSlVXR1I4NFBzWldpYXdyRWpOaGZTek9wRTJxQVNQbm1XSWNCeU5pUHZhMnp4bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast..&v=rQW-SbsivKI) [![Spotify Logo](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spotify_logo_with_text.svg.png?width=133&height=40&name=Spotify_logo_with_text.svg.png)](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0NPbHA0Z3VWWDhsR1czcHBNTzhXZXpEQjhaZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttR193R1VFa2ZhNWxuTzJaTTU2aUxvNnJCVk4tSUptR2hkMHJaY1J2TXpJUXJfazRpZXJLdmNlaTNWOWEySWx3VTVPSmVxTmVlSy1ia2lMMldIMkE3c3NMN0d0Vm50dGNxa2pzMndyRDdXaG1wZTQwWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F3vWorrUkfsBprrg5S2TUjZ&v=rQW-SbsivKI) ================================= Disclaimer: We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage which is incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to any of our publications. For all videos on my channel: This information is for general & educational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, CPA, or financial professional for advice based on your specific situation. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use © Healthcare Facilities Network. 📬 For Business Inquiries: [pmartin@cref.com](mailto:pmartin@cref.com)  [mailto:pmartin@cref.com](mailto:pmartin@cref.com) ## Related Content Dive into our collection of insightful articles. [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/photographic%20The%20image%20depicts%20a%20bustling%20hospital%20facilities%20maintenance%20team%20in%20action%20showcasing%20three%20skilled%20trades%20professionals%20a%20lead%20engineer-1.png) ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/the-hidden-workforce-how-skilled-trades-keep-hospitals-running) Next Gen Recruiting Video #### The Hidden Workforce: How Skilled Trades Keep Hospitals Running When most people think about hospitals, they picture doctors, nurses, and patients, not th... [ WATCH ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/the-hidden-workforce-how-skilled-trades-keep-hospitals-running) [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/a73f815e-054c-4644-a159-31381ba1cbe9.png) ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/how-to-prepare-for-accreditation-360) Compliance, Safety & Risk Video #### How to Prepare for Accreditation 360 January 1, 2026 marks the official start of the Joint Commission’s Accreditation 360 — a c... [ WATCH ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/how-to-prepare-for-accreditation-360) [![](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/photographic%20the%20image%20focuses%20on%20tradespeople%20working%20in%20healthcare%20An%20HVAC%20technician%20is%20outdoors%20on%20the%20roof%20of%20a%20hospital%20building%20taking%20in%20the%20v-1.png) ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/beyond-the-toolbox-why-working-in-the-healthcare-trades-is-different) Next Gen Recruiting Video #### Beyond the Toolbox: Why Working in the Healthcare Trades Is Different In most industries, a tradesperson’s success is measured in the comfort, functionality, or... [ WATCH ](https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/beyond-the-toolbox-why-working-in-the-healthcare-trades-is-different) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Martin", "url" : "https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/author/peter-martin" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-14T17:09:33.771Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-04T15:20:12.000Z", "headline" : "MacGyver works on TV, but he’s too risky for hospital facilities work", "image" : [ "https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/10.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/insights/aging-employees", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://healthcarefacilitiesnetwork.com/hubfs/Photography/website-images/Mark.svg" }, "name" : "Cref" } } ```