6 2 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
What gave you the idea to
use virtual reality for OR design?
We were working on renovating the ORs at the
University of Washington Medical Center. The proj-
ect manager learned about what we were doing
with the technology and got excited about its
potential to replace physical models of the new
spaces, which they had already spent $300,000
to make. We created virtual mockups of 4
ORs, and they were blown away.
How does the technology
help the design process?
We use it to figure out what equipment is needed
and where it should go. We can create a realistic
look of an entire OR, down to the type of power out-
lets that will be used and the texture, feel and look of
surfaces throughout the room. You can increment
that level of detail as the design progresses.
Does it provide an accurate
feel of the room's function?
It really does. Virtual reality ORs can be extremely
photorealistic and very convincing. When you
get immersed in the virtual space, you can
heck Out Every Detail of Your
ORs — Before They're Built
C
Will Adams, M.Arch.
Master architect and guru of virtual reality design