5 6 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E M A R C H 2 0 1 7
Pre-planning is crucial
There's no question that whatever your imaging needs are, careful pre-planning
is likely to be a crucial part of determining which system provides the right fit
for you, both physically and procedurally.
"We toured other facilities and gained some knowledge, not only about what
was working for them, but also about what didn't work out, so we wouldn't
make the same mistakes," says Ms. Dostalek. "We also had trials where we set
up a mockup of the OR in a big staging area. We had all the measurements, so
we could get a feel of what it was going to be like to work in the space."
The final layout was the result of collaboration among the vendor, the archi-
tects and the frontline staffers. "It was important to have the staff involved,
because they're going to be working in the room," says Ms. Dostalek. "They
know how things flow and what doesn't flow."
Of course the support you get after the monitors are hung and the initial train-
ing is complete is also of paramount importance.
"They all did a good job," says Ms. Schuetz of the 4 vendors they trialed. "But
the one we chose did an exceptionally good job. They educated our staff and
told us everything we need to know. Our nurses can troubleshoot anything that
can possibly come up."
And they've maintained their presence, says Ms. Chase, even though there
have been no problems with the system. "It hasn't been just during the trial, or
in the first month after purchase," she says. "They've continued that level of
support."
It's like the old Maytag commercials with the lonely appliance repairman, says
Ms. Schuetz. "Exactly," adds Ms. Chase. "If you pick the right system, the vendor
will be the loneliest guy around. He'll just come by to see how you're doing."
OSM
