cal and gas lines if needed and allow for replace-
ments and changes in the room configuration.
Look to the future
The average life of an OR is about 20 years, but a lot
can happen during that time with equipment, tech-
nology and surgical products. While smaller incre-
mental changes can be accommodated over time, it's
the "big picture" that keeps
investors, architects, designers and
planners up at night. What looks
like a trend today, in fact, may be a
fad that costs more down the road
with renovations and rebuilds.
Building so-called "relevant
ORs" with staying power requires
a surgical team that works togeth-
er and takes the time to review
what standardized plug-and-play
designs will allow for over time.
Firms need to devote the time and
resources to train employees – and
their potential customers — in the
very specialized environment of
surgical process and patient care.
Technology will have an even
greater impact on the design of the
OR in the near future as some of
surgery's hottest technologies
become common, including robot-
ics and smart-imaging capabilities
that wirelessly stream videos on
big-screen, 4K high-definition moni-
tors. This high-end equipment
points to a need for great flexibility
in the design process as new proce-
dures enter the outpatient space.
Efficiency and good workflow,
of course, should be accommodat-
ed in any design and keep the
safety of both the patient and the
employee top of mind. Antiquated
ORs are a hazard to the profes-
sion. Fortunately, new building
projects are addressing these con-
cerns with a focus on patient-cen-
tered care from the moment
patients enter the facility until
they leave. There is a new emphasis on the sense of
well-being throughout the patient journey as facility
leaders and staff strive to meet high patient expec-
tations. Staff expectations are also high as workers'
quality of life issues will also be factored into newer
designs. Owners and teams who will work within
these new walls hope to make lasting impressions
on the communities they will serve.
OSM
F
E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 3 3
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678.319.0091
We specialize in high-performance, low maintenance
design solutions that serve nearly 100,000 patient encounters
per week nationwide.
Our innovative, hands-on, and cost-controlled approach
ensures you'll spend more time with patients and less time
managing the chaos of a poorly planned surgery center.
WE DESIGN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU
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