Think of it as a drive-through hospital, where everything is an outpatient procedure. In 2003, the venerable University of Washington Medical Center opened a $92 million, 160,000-square-foot outpatient surgery pavilion with 11 high tech operating rooms. This summer, the facility reached a new peak, hosting up to 20 surgeries a day at an average of 112 minutes per case. That's wicked fast. Lots of hospitals are going high throughput and high margin, focusing on one or two pricey, nonessential procedures like cosmetic surgery to bring in (and crank out) patients. UW does them all, from Lasik to gastric bypass. Here's how they pull it off.
The University of Washington's Prescription for Speedy Service
NO SLEEPOVERS
"There are no beds in this building," says architect Dick Lee. Patients gown up, hand their stuff to a nurse, get surgery, and convalesce just until they're steady on their feet and have pain meds.
NO CLUTTER
Time in an operating room costs big money, so these ORs can be reconfigured quickly. To minimize clutter, ceiling-mounted booms hold everything from suction apparatus to vital-sign monitors.
NO STRESS
The hotel-like atmosphere - outdoor views, strategic art, and subtle design - puts patients at ease. Walk past the wooded glen, turn left at the kimono, and follow the lit tiles to the nurses' station.
- Jacob Ward
credit Gavin Sisk/University of Washington
credit John Edwards
NO SLEEPOVERS
credit University of Washington
NO CLUTTER
credit University of Washington
NO STRESS
START
In-N-Out Surgery
