A common pitfall I see is everybody thinks they need more space
than they really do. An effective and inexpensive way to right-size
your build is to make a scale-sized cardboard mockup of the pro-
posed facility's rooms and equipment. Don't talk about specific
square footage during these design workshops because no matter
what number you assign, people will always say it needs to be big-
ger. Without talking about size, simply move the cardboard around
to determine the best dimensions of the spaces you need to build.
Keep in mind that the facility's sterile processing department must
be designed to match the workflow and expected case volume of
the new facility. If the space is designed too small, cases could be
delayed due to issues related to throughput, instrument cleaning and
picking case carts.
Don't build personal offices that are rarely used or cut corners by
building too-small spaces for key support services. Always design
with maximum efficiency in mind.
3. Listen to multiple voices
Employee turnover will happen during the construction project, so
make sure the decisions made during the design phase aren't based
on an individual physician's or person's preference. When they
leave, the design likely won't work for anybody else.
It's also important to have more than the physicians involved in
the design process. Get input from your business manager, billing
and accounts receivable staff, nurses, operating room technicians
and environmental services techs.
Getting input from these front- and back-of-house employees will
ensure you'll have designed spaces with good workflow for everyone
involved in the ultimate success of the facility.
A technology visioning session is also helpful. Involving IT consult-
7 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
