Location of SPD

[cindynrh]

We are in the process of planning a new hospital and there is some disagreement regarding the proximity of the SPD and the OR. Presently, ours are on the same floor. The new plans call for SPD to be on the ground floor level and the OR suites on the 3rd floor. They would be connected by designated clean and dirty elevators. We have one Physician inparticular that is insisting that they are on the same floor. I would appreciate any feedback regarding the set up at other facilities. Thanks.

[dongordon]

Cindy,

I will be moving into my new department within the next few months. It is the same exact set up as yours and I am thrilled with the way it is turning out. There was quite a bit of discussion with the architects before agreeing to this decision.

The rationale for proceeding this way was that I wanted a certain amount of space for my department (6,000 square feet) based on equipment and our operation and that was not available on the OR's floor.

In discussions with the architect, it was explained this way:
The more important the department, the more space that department will get now and in the future. If we were on the same floor as the OR and for some reason they required more space, it would come from my department. The same is true for the CS department....we are the most important area on the ground floor. I received the amount of space I requested (actually more space). If I require additional space in the future, my department services the OR and Labor and Delivery, therefore the priority is with CS.

I would also visit other hospitals that the archtect firm designed and ask the CS department what they would change if they were going through the design process again. I visited two hospitals and received valuable information from the CS staff.

My advice...take the ground floor location (with the elevators) and take control of your destiny.

Don

[sonny1388]

We are currently set up on the ground floor with the O.R. on the second floor, connected by a clean and dirty elevator. In some instances, I wish we were on the same floor....like it would be faster to get supplies or instruments to the rooms when they needed them mid-case, and it would cut down on the number of areas where we stock the same supply (i.e. Gowns are stocked in C.S., in the "Pack Room", and in a cubby outside of each room). On the other hand, it is nice to be seen as a separate department, have enough space available to us, be closer to Materials Management, and be able to get away from the O.R. nurses :)! I just wish our elevators were faster, they take forever!