High-density solution brings 98 percent of or supplies to convenient central storage

To enhance efficiency and maximize use of space, hospitals are designing state-of-the-art surgical departments with "central core" storage to provide ample, convenient access to supplies. Central core design, with an area one-fourth to one-third the size of the overall surgical space devoted to storage, provides convenient access to ample supplies—while preserving precious space inside the operating room. Central core design also frees up space in other areas of the hospital that might otherwise be used for storing surgical supplies and equipment.

Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN, adopted a central core approach when designing the facility’s new Department of Surgery, which opened in January 2010 as part of a major expansion project. Union Hospital is the primary facility in a not-for-profit healthcare system that provides comprehensive care to residents of west central Indiana and eastern Illinois.

Physicians at Union Hospital’s Department of Surgery—which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week—perform more than 10,000 surgical procedures annually. The new facility features 12 operating rooms, including rooms dedicated to urologic cytology and open heart procedures.

"Our goal was to store 98 percent of our surgical supplies inside the central core," said Rosann Chambers, OR business manager, Surgical Services. "In our old hospital, we had supplies stowed in a variety of locations, and we needed a centralized approach to improve efficiency."

Once the facility was designed, however, the challenge remained: how to maximize storage in the long, somewhat narrow space devoted to the central core in the OR?

To address the issue, Union Hospital turned to Metro, a long-time partner providing storage solutions since the 1980s. Using CAD drawings of the planned central core area, Metro helped design the storage system to maximize available space. To meet Union Hospital’s specific needs, Metro recommended its MetroMax i high-density Top-Track system that increases the capacity of a given area by up to 50 percent.

The Top-Track overhead track system provides an unobstructed movable aisle that allows more storage units to fit in a defined area. Metro’s Top-Track moveable aisle design allows full access to each unit to eliminate hard-to-reach spaces. The overhead tracks also facilitate easy cleaning of floors to support infection control procedures.

MetroMax i’s polymer design features smooth surfaces and removable shelf mats that protect sensitive packaged items and wrapped instruments from tears or damage—a key to eliminating waste and cutting costs. The removable shelf mat design promotes infection control by allowing easy cleaning on the unit or at the sink.

To further support product cleanliness, the shelf frames, polymer shelf mats and posts are constructed from an easy-to-clean polymer material with built-in Microban antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus that cause odor, stains and product degradation.

The system also met Union Hospital’s needs to move storage units easily, even when stocked with heavy loads of up to 900lbs. Units can also be reconfigured easily as demands change.

As part of the transition to its new wing, Union Hospital wanted to re-use Metro track shelving from its vacated surgery center into the facility’s new sterile processing unit.

"Metro provided outstanding service in helping us relocate the existing shelving over the course of one weekend to facilitate the move into our new facility," said Chambers. "They really went the extra mile to help us, and have been a wonderful partner."