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Is your operating room ergonomic?

5 January 2023

From large university hospitals catering for the latest surgical techniques to smaller district facilities planning step-by-step development, our customers face the same challenge: how to make their operating rooms (OR) really ergonomic. Modular, integrated and open-architecture solutions are needed.

Modular solutions

With innovative surgical procedures being performed in modern ORs hospitals face cost and design challenges and daunting technology choices. After a hospital determines which technology and approach will be adopted, an extensive planning process follows. Architects should interview endusers to best plan the size of the operating theater, where it should be located, which specialties will use it, what kind and number of procedures will be performed, and what equipment will be needed. It’s important to not only involve clinicians, but also biomedical engineering (management and maintenance), IT (connection to hospital IT and data safety) and the hospital manager during this process.

Modular walls and ceilings are recommended hygienic solutions for ORs, hybrid ORs, intensive care units and emergency departments. Modular construction helps integrate all technical services behind the OR walls and enables easy access to them. Modern surgical suites use more equipment and shared modalities. They might require shielding for radiology acquisition devices and special ceilings structures for the large and heavy equipment booms. Advanced planning tools, eg. BIM and 3D visualizations are necessary to facilitate this complex design process. Modular walls and ceilings, combined with digitalized processes and integrated devices, make for ergonomic operating theater that fosters better clinical cooperation. Doors, cabinets, monitors and technical equipment are safely integrated into the operating room. Learn more about ALVO Modular OR solutions.

Integrated solutions

Integration refers to the surgical team (a collaboration of multidisciplinary staff) and medical equipment connections. Surgeons need to operate efficiently and have the right equipment working smoothly, video images displayed on various monitors, and proper lighting. When the surgical team has the right information and technology, they can achieve better clinical outcomes.

Operating rooms of today, especially hybrid ORs require plug & play approach. In hybrid rooms, operations are often complex and involve multiple examinations requiring additional equipment.

“Before the functional design of a new operating theater is created, we encourage clinical and administrative teams to visit existing and simulated operating theaters. ALVO Medical has several customer experience centers with a simulated OR designed and equipped exactly like a real one. Surgical teams can perform a simulated operation here, test equipment, check shelf spacing, the distance from the operating table to the anesthesia machine or endoscopes, test operating lamps and display configurations. They will also practice how to schedule and debrief surgeries in a completely integrated video-over-IP environment.” – says Agata Olszewska, President of the Board, ALVO Medical.

How do patients benefit from ergonomic operating rooms?

Modular and integrated operating rooms are more ergonomic, they save time and money. Video-routing, sharp visualization and access to real-time patient data support right clinical decisions. The ALVO Integra solutions allow for video consultations with experts outside the hospital.

Managing the OR from one hygienic touch screen eliminates the cable clutter (‘spaghetti syndrome’) and staff movements during surgeries, which helps prevent Surgical Site Infections.

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