cases, which reduces the risk of trips and collisions.
Moving the surgical table closer to a side wall,
away from the center of the room, and angling it
toward one corner frees up space around its sur-
face, giving staff more room to move and maneu-
ver equipment during cases. It also lets you set up
the anesthesia workstation in the corner closest to
the head of the table, an area that's dead space in
conventional room configurations. Setting up the
anesthesia workstation in the corner keeps tubes
and cords away from moving equipment and staff
members, a secondary benefit that prevents vital
connections between the patient and anesthesia
machine from becoming accidentally dislodged
during procedures.
• Smart storage. Storage solutions in new ORs
are no longer a separate design component; they're
instead integrated into walls to open up valuable
square footage and limit how far doors extend into
workspaces and walkways, according to Dr.
Joseph. She says adding storage locations in the
anesthesia work area and where the circulating
nurse patrols limits the amount of distance they
must travel during surgeries, a factor that
improves efficiencies and decreases foot traffic
throughout the room.
• Wireless imaging. Evolving video routing tech-
nology eliminates the cords that run from video
towers to large flat screen monitors positioned
around the room, where images from the surgeon's
scope, the overhead view of the surgical field and
different data sources can be shown simultaneous-
ly. Staff working away from the sterile field can
monitor the surgery's progress, anticipate the next
step in the case and ready needed equipment at a
safe pace. "Teams that are aware of what's happen-
ing throughout the procedure are better able to
coordinate their movements," says Dr. Joseph.
• Mobility. Mobile workstations designed for cir-
culating nurses are gaining in popularity. The work-
stations on wheels let circulators position them-
selves near the surgical table for a better view of
surgery and limit the amount of walking they have
to do around the sterile field. The mobile nurses
also have the ability to safely move out of the way if
members of the surgical team need to reposition
themselves or equipment.
• Cord covers. Until wireless technology and
booms become commonplace, cord management is a
reality of working in surgery. Dr. Joseph believes
consolidating equipment whenever possible and
making a concerted effort to keep equipment organ-
ized are the best ways to keep walking paths clear of
tripping hazards, but also understands stretching
cords across floors is inevitable in some ORs. She
says it's difficult and time-consuming to safely tape
O
C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 3 9
TAKE A SAFE STEP FORWARD...
with Welmed's New Footwear
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE:
info@welmed.us
312-836-3742
www.welmed.us/contact-us/
Boot Covers (9100-337 & 338 Series)
•
Standard Polypropylene
• Anti-Slip Treads
• Universal Size
Shoe Covers (9100-330)
•
Heavy Duty
• Fluid Impervious Shoe or Full Designs
• Anti-Skid
• Universal & Extra Large Sizes
vers ersal al Siz Size
Anti-Slip Treads
