Wilson Memorial Hospital Surgical Suite Renovation

Architect: App Architecture
Owner: Wilson Memorial Hospital

Introducing…the Operating Room of the Future
                               
      You’re ushered into a gleaming, bright and spacious room, surrounded with huge flat screen monitors and other space-age looking equipment that goes beep-beep. Every piece of technology is suspended from the walls and ceiling, with just a bed in the center of the room.  All that’s missing is a couple of robots walking around assisting the OR staff, yet the new technology functions almost as if it were an added member of the surgical team. Your surgeon and the nurses will smile and welcome you and in a few seconds you’ll drift off to sleep.  Doctors and nurses who care about you is the reassuring part of having surgery at Wilson.  But now there is much more to offer, even while you sleep.
      The surgical suite is changing - in looks as well as the technology.  Wilson Memorial is introducing a new operating environment for patients and their surgeons.  Four surgical suites have been undergoing complete renovation over the past year. One-by-one the four operating rooms were gutted and re-constructed to allow for built-in technology to enhance quality of patient care and ease of use for surgeons. 
      “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 the surgical suites re-design team that includes physicians, nurses and administrators.
       Surgical procedures change with time as new technology and techniques evolve. With the shift to more laparoscopic, or minimally invasive procedures, it was time for Wilson Memorial to keep pace with healthcare facilities three or more times its size. Because the renovation was scheduled in 2008-09 to upgrade the entire department, it was the perfect time to create operating rooms of the future. All equipment from information technology systems to boom systems delivering blood gases was built in from the ceiling. The timing allowed Wilson Memorial to become the first in the area to develop advanced OR environments.
      In order to keep the surgical department operational, phased demolition and reconstruction was accomplished over a year’s time with work completed 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.
      How will this benefit patients?  “The renovation allows surgeons access to the latest technology advancements,” says Dr. David McDonald, general surgeon.  “The suites are being integrated, meaning that the operating rooms are customized surgical environments built to surgeons’ specifications, with the continuing focus on patient care,” he added.  “Centralized access to equipment, enhanced visualization and the capability to take on more complex procedures—all of this leads to increased patient safety and patient satisfaction,” adds Dr. McDonald.
      One of the most innovative features will be an overhead boom, or track system that will integrate the medical equipment used during procedures. With the new design, the surgical team will no longer set up equipment in the room before surgery because the medical equipment will be centrally located in each room.  This will increase overall efficiency by reducing turnover time between procedures, improving maneuverability, and shorten room preparation time.
      A Picture Archive Computer System (PACS) will be available in all four suites with images displayed on high definition, flat panel operative screens, providing high-resolution images and eliminating the use of X-ray films.  The monitors will be computer interfaced allowing the surgical staff access to real-time medical information such as the patient’s electronic medical records, digital X-rays and laboratory results that may need to be referenced during surgery.  These monitors will provide the best viewing experience with crisp, clear pictures of the procedure being performed.
      “Our patients look for the latest technology available when a surgical need arises for themselves or for their family,” Dr. McDonald explained. “Wilson Memorial understands this and is committed to providing the same technology and facilities that are offered in the larger hospitals in nearby cities.”

Mary Gagnét Burns
Director of Marketing
Wilson Memorial Hospital