All sixteen operating theatres and associated areas have been replaced. Some theatres are furnished with special medical equipment for very specific operations.
The new operating theatres are situated on two floors and work was carried out in five phases. In each phase, up to four theatres were remodelled so that the remaining twelve could remain in use.
The new operating theatres are situated on two floors and work has been carried out in five phases. In each phase, up to four theatres are remodeled and the remaining twelve could remain in use. Each phase lasted 9 months, followed by a moving period of 6 weeks. These 9 months included demolition, structural works and outfitting. After the fit-out came the adjustment and testing period for the equipment and installations. The works are carried out with the least possible disruption to the theatres that remain in use, the surrounding departments, employees, patients and visitors.
Construction phase 1: phase 1 was already delivered in 2010 and included the construction of four operating theatres and the surrounding areas. The technical installations in the spaces above it and below it are also modified or renewed. There is a special air treatment system installed in the new operating theatres This is known as a 'down flow plenum', a screen of clean (micro dust filter) filtered air which blows down and thus creates stable and sterile conditions in an area of 3.5 x 3.5m around the operating table . Between the operating theatres is a sterile room, where the surgery assistants prepare the instruments for the operation. This also contains a down flow plenum, under which the surgical instruments can remain 'covered up'. This allows the patient to be prepared away from all the instruments, which is much more relaxing for the patient.
Construction phase 2: phase 2 included the construction of four operating theatres and surrounding areas and the adaptation of the technical installations above and below it. Due to the other operating rooms being in use during construction, temporary measures were provided so that the movement of patients and goods would not contaminate the secure and sterile environment of the operating theatres. Before a theatre was made operational all the (medical) equipment was checked and extensively tested.
Construction phase 3, 4 (A and B) and 5: during phase 3, 4 (A and B) and 5 a total of twelve operating theatres are built; in the same way as described in Construction phase 2.
Constructing the theatres involved cooperation between many different technical disciplines. Apart from the obvious architectural, mechanical and electrical issues we also had to deal with the integration of specialist medical and imaging equipment.
Not only are the operating theatres equipped with the latest medical equipment, it is also possible to use the Audio Visual Routing System to play music from an iPod or iPhone or from the Internet. Thanks to the use of fibreglass, the high data bandwidth in the operating theatres means they will be ready for any developments in the coming years.
The works were carried out with the least possible disruption to the theatres that remained in use, the surrounding departments, employees, patients and visitors.
This project is being delivered by MedicomZes (a trading name of Visser & Smit Bouw bv).