by Sharon Apotheker Pomeroy
Sharon Apotheker Pomeroy
New York – Caldwell & Walsh completed construction of the first hybrid operating room at New York University Langone Medical Center utilizing a CLEANSUITE system.
CLEANSUITE systems are predesigned and fabricated to be delivered in fully integrated modules. Each was custom-designed to include all ceiling components such as integral LED lighting, med-gas, boom mount, diffuser screens, filters, duct connections, and sprinkler piping. The benefits of the CLEANSUITE are many. The compact, low-profile design works well in tight spaces with minimal above-ceiling clearances. Whether used in a new or renovated space, it can reduce the timeline for design and construction, potentially resulting in faster revenue generation.
The operating suite where the project is located encompasses 18 active operating rooms. No interruptions, delays, or cancellations of surgeries due to construction were permitted. Managing the construction with minimum cost and maximum value while considering the client’s needs were among the objectives to meet. With prefab/offsite construction and Lean construction methods among emerging trends being watched this year, Caldwell & Walsh proposed the CLEANSUITE option to the project team, citing benefits such as a reduction in the construction schedule, less waste, and enhanced coordination. “We expect applications like this to be an accelerating trend,” commented Mark Sanborn, project manager for Caldwell & Walsh. “It offers worthwhile efficiencies. With consensus from the project team, we moved forward.”
In a previous phase of work completed by Caldwell & Walsh, new sterile storage rooms were constructed. To accommodate the hybrid operating room and its associated control and sterile storage rooms, a sterile storage room was demolished. Structural steel was added below the slab to provide reinforcement for the new operating room equipment. Shielding was installed in the floor and walls to work in concert with the imaging equipment. New infrastructure was provided, including an air-handling unit and return fan. Temporary HVAC was provided for adjacent areas affected during construction.
Once the CLEANSUITE components were delivered, each was installed and hung from new structural steel and Unistrut supports. Subcontractors and hospital vendors then made final connections to the system.
Minimizing onsite coordination of trades during installation accelerated the schedule. “In this type of environment, reducing the number of subcontractors onsite was helpful,” noted Nick Chimienti, project superintendent. “Less congestion in the construction zone enhanced safety for the workers and anyone accessing adjacent areas.”
Given the time constraints to get this space operational and the need to construct without disruptions, the CLEANSUITE proved to be a valuable option. Construction activities were concurrent, rather than consecutive, compressing the construction timeline. The operating room has customized features with optimal comfort and performance for surgeons, where contaminants are directed away from personnel and patients during surgeries by way of laminar airflow. This was a successful undertaking where all stakeholders collaborated to ensure seamless delivery.
With offices in Sandy Hook, Connecticut; Boston; and New York City, Caldwell & Walsh has distinguished itself as a premier construction company in the Northeast, specializing in healthcare, laboratory, and education market segments. Surmounting even the most demanding of construction challenges, the staff is driven to meet project goals and ease the transition from completion to operations. This service results in many valued relationships with distinguished clients and design teams.
Sharon Apotheker Pomeroy is marketing director and assistant to the president at Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction, Inc.
