Operating Rooms of the Future

February 2009

“Wilson Memorial Hospital is the first community hospital in the region to introduce integrated, advanced technology in their new surgery suites that is comparable to top hospitals throughout the nation,” says Darshan Vyas, M.D., chairman of the department of surgery. “This renovation shows our commitment to continue to offer advanced procedures, with the latest technology, in a state-of-the-art facility.” Dr. Vyas is part of Wilson Memorial Hospital's surgical suites re-design team that includes physicians, nurses and administrators.

In order to keep the surgical department operational, phased demolition and reconstruction was accomplished over a year’s time  by Ferguson Construction Company. “Keeping the department operational was the main challenge,” said Marianne Weber, project architect. Weber is a partner with the Engelwood firm, App Architecture, with work concentrated in hospital renovation. “Another challenge was to redesign the space for better functional flow, not only of the OR suites with the new technology, but also of all the sub-departments such as sterile processing and decontamination.  “What we ultimately have now is more efficient work flow for staff, which in turn, enhances patient care,” she added.

One of the most innovative features is an overhead boom, or track system that will integrate the medical equipment used during procedures. During the re-construction process, Ferguson put in custom steel supports in the ceiling to support the new design and equipment.  All equipment, from information technology systems to boom systems delivering blood gases, was built in from the ceiling. The surgical team will no longer have to set up equipment in the room before surgery because the medical equipment will be centrally located in each room.  This will increase overall efficiency for the hospital by reducing turnover time between procedures, improving maneuverability, and shorten room preparation time.