monitors from the
ceiling, you'll have to
place them on audio-
visual carts. The
oxygen, nitrous and
suction hanging
from the ceiling
could also interfere
with GI cases.
Equip each room
with 2 monitors —
one for the doctor
and one for the
nurse/technician assisting the physician in handling the scope, biopsy
forceps and snare. Unlike most ORs, GI rooms routinely have a small
sink as part of the cabinetry. You'll need an in-room cabinet (glass
door or stainless steel) to store your supplies, such as towels, suction,
4x4s, K-Y Jelly, IVs, IV tubing, medications and specimen containers.
5. Create a comfortable space. Yes, you want to provide
patients with a pleasant setting, but don't skimp on what I call "non-
revenue-generating spaces," such as lockers and break rooms for
staff. And don't forget about the people who drove your patients and
are taking a few hours out of their day. Invest in comfortable waiting
room chairs for patient escorts. In one center, I put sofas with pillows
in the waiting room. The doctors didn't much care for it, but the
escorts were comfortable. The chairs in one center were so uncom-
fortable that escorts routinely went next door to another doctor's
office to sit on chairs with padded arms.
M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 1
• REPROCESSING BLUES A scenario you should avoid at all costs — the patient is
ready, the doctor is ready … but the scope isn't.
