It's only about 5 steps
from pre-op to the ORs,
which each measure
about 480 square feet.
Because we don't have a
lot of extra storage space
— not to mention time
between cases — the ORs
are big enough to house
all the equipment we
need for cases. Each OR's
set-up is standardized,
which speeds turnover
times and limits our need
to move equipment into
and out of the
rooms. We also added
modular cabinets for
extra storage capacity.
Those features are a big
part of why our average OR turnover time is just 7 to 9 minutes.
After surgery, patients are moved another 5 steps to PACU. The pre-
op and post-op rooms were designed exactly the same way to accom-
modate overflow during busy days. The rooms can be used inter-
changeably, so we avoid scheduling problems.
The sterile processing area is located between the ORs (in the mid-
dle of the U). Locating sterile processing between the ORs improves
efficiencies in several ways: It takes little time to drop off and pick up
instruments, the reprocessing staff is readily available to address
issues that might arise and there is continual and open communica-
M A R C H 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 9
• FINE DETAIL A surgical microscope runs from $25,000 for a basic model to
$100,000-plus for a high-end model.
Piedmont
Outpatient
Surgery
Center
