OR expansion—a journey into the unknown

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2004  by Kate L. Oliver

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

GOOD IDEAS DISGUISED AS POTHOLES

As weeks turned into months, I realized that I continually needed to question the motives behind the actions or responses of people involved in the project. The fact that we were dealing with professionals, including RNs, physicians, architects, and designers, did not mean that their behaviors were without bias or partiality. Personal opinions factored in and sometimes took priority over logical decisions, which is what I suspected when one of the physicians voiced his opinion that the layout of sinks and toilets in the male physician locker area was ridiculous. As it turned out, I was wrong.

The original plan called for two toilet stalls--one larger for handicap access--and two urinals. To access the sink, the men had to exit the area through a door leading into another room. The physician's suggestion to remove one of the toilets and put a sink in its place made for a better and more functional floor plan and significantly improved ingress and egress to the area. The architect liked the plan. Changes were drawn up and approved, and this modification was completed.

JOURNEY'S END

From the onset of planning to completion, the project took two years and seven months with construction lasting 15 months. Overall, the project went pretty smoothly. We did not experience an increase in infections, and budgetary concerns, patient and staff member complaints, and security issues were minor. The haunted heart/lung machine has become a legend, and people still talk about the Hawaiian leis, pineapples, miniature umbrellas, and plastic parrots we used to decorate the front desk hut that was constructed during asbestos abatement. Everyone has settled into their new quarters and into a routine. We have used the new OR and, with the exception of a number of equipment problems, it has been successful. I have not been cured of asking "are we there yet," but I know that eventually even a bumpy journey can come to a successful end.

NOTES

(1.) J M Bartley, "APIC state-of-the-art report: The role of infection control during construction in health care facilities," American Journal of Infection Control 28 (April 2000) 156-169.

(2.) N L Marmolejo, "Safety considerations during construction and renovation," Seminars in Perioperative Nursing 8 (October 1999) 204-207.

RESOURCES

Gehrki, B. "Key decisions in designing a new OR," OR Manager 18 (January 2002) 15-16, 18.

Gehrki, B. "Lessons learned through OR renovation," OR Manager 18 (February 2002) 21-22.

"Keeping OR suite going during construction is a tall order," OR Manager 18 (February 2002) 1, 17-18.

Madrid, F. M. New construction and renovation: Lessons learned," Seminars in Perioperative Nursing 8 (October 1999) 215-228.

Troyer, J. "Planning capital equipment purchases for renovation: a practical guide," Seminars in Perioperative Nursing 8 (October 1999) 193-203.

Kate L. Oliver, RN, BSN, is director of surgery, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette, La.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group