M A R C H 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 3 7
nature. In fact, the layouts of all procedural spaces within New York-
Presbyterian's new building will be identical, so staff members know intuitively
how rooms function and where equipment is kept, no matter where they're
working.
"We focused on making the rooms state of the art, but we also spent time
thinking about where to place equipment to promote surgical efficiencies," says
Ms. Muniz. She learned from a previous building project that mirror-image ORs
don't provide the flexibility needed to move cases along in the most efficient
manner possible. To that end, the ORs in the new space are the same size and
set up to accommodate same-sided surgeries.
There is such a thing as building too big, according to Ms. Nussbaum. "Extra-
large OR designs inhibit efficiencies by increasing the amount of steps staff
must take to access different spaces," she explains. "Much of OR design is
based on the procedures you host, but it's also dependent on the way staff will
function within the room."
She suggests you sit down with your architect or facility planner to map out
exactly where each member of the surgical team will work, the supplies they
need to access during cases and how those factors will intersect with high-traf-
fic walkways and where patients will be wheeled into and out of the rooms.
There's a general assumption that getting equipment off the ground and onto
booms improves efficiencies by eliminating tripping hazards that can slow the
movement of cautious staff members. Boom-based monitors can also be placed
around the table in positions that promote the ergonomic comfort of surgeons,
who might be able to operate faster if they're not dealing with the aches and
pains of repetitive-use injuries.
Ms. Muniz and her colleagues decided to outfit each OR with off-centered
booms. The unique design limits the collection of arms hanging around the sur-
gical table and has a higher weight capacity than traditional boom systems, so
they can accommodate more monitors linked to the integrated displays of clini-
