Optimizing Surgical Efficiency with Advanced Operating Room Design: How Avidicare’s Opragon Creates a Larger, Cleaner and Safer Environment
As hospitals strive for higher standards of efficiency and safety, recent studies underscore the impact of optimized operating room (OR) design on surgical performance and patient outcomes. A study published in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal,1 indicates that improved OR layout can reduce surgical times significantly. This revelation reaffirms the role of advanced airflow systems like Avidicare’s Opragon, which delivers Temperature-controlled AirFlow (TcAF) to maintain a large and ultra-clean air environment, thereby minimizing infection risks and enhancing overall efficiency.
Opragon addresses one of the most critical concerns in surgical environments – reducing airborne contaminants. By offering reliable infection control that extends beyond traditional ventilation methods, Opragon serves as a vital investment for hospitals and surgical facilities focused on improving patient safety and operational productivity.
Enhancing Operating Room Efficiency with Advanced Airflow Control
Traditional OR ventilation systems often rely on a fan-driven laminar airflow from the ceiling, which has limitations in effectively distributing ultra-clean air throughout the room. Opragon, however, uses the patented Temperature-controlled AirFlow (TcAF) that ensures a laminar flow of ultra-clean air over the surgical zone while also diluting contaminants in the entire room. This approach minimizes the spread of contaminants in the air, creating a safer environment for both the patient and the surgical staff.
Dr. Koen Defoort, orthopedic surgeon at Sint Maartens Clinic in the Netherlands, highlights how the Opragon system plays a vital role in infection control.
“With the Opragon system, the operating room maintains a cleanliness level comparable to a cleanroom, significantly reducing airborne particles and infection risks. This allows surgical staff to utilize the entire space efficiently without instrument tables obstructing our work.”
See full interview and tour at Sint Maartens Clinic’s OR facility below.
Key Benefits of Opragon for Hospitals
Avidicare’s Opragon system offers significant advantages for hospital management, surgical staff, and facility planners. Through advanced air management, Opragon supports infection prevention, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability – key areas of focus for healthcare stakeholders.
- Reduced Risk for Surgical Site Infection
Maintaining ultra-clean air in the OR helps prevent surgical site infections (SSIs), which can lead to prolonged hospital stays and additional treatments. Opragon minimizes these risks by maintaining ultra-clean conditions throughout the entire OR, not just over the surgical table. A clinic was able to take advantage of these benefits and show a reduction of SSI from 3.3% to 1.1% across 2000 studied patients by moving to the Opragon Ventilation System2.
- Increased Operational Efficiency
By effectively managing airflow and creating a larger and cleaner environment, the Opragon system makes the whole room usable for the surgical team. Not being restricted to a small central zone, work can be organized more efficiently. It also enables faster transitions between surgeries while the reduced contamination rates translate into faster clean-up time, ultimately improving surgical turnover rates. The recent article showing a reduction in OR operating time by up to two hours per day reinforces the potential impact of advanced ventilation systems on hospital efficiency.
- Cost Savings Through Infection Control
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are not only a threat to patient health but also a significant financial burden. By reducing the risk of HAIs, and especially Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) with a system like Opragon, hospitals can save substantially on treatment costs and avoid penalties associated with infection rates. Investing in robust infection prevention strategies is, therefore, a financially sound decision that aligns with broader healthcare goals.
- Enhanced Staff Wellbeing
Healthcare staff are at the front lines in any surgical environment, and maintaining an ultra-clean air supply directly impacts their safety and comfort. Opragon’s distribution of ultra-clean air, driven by gravity and not mechanics, reduces the risks of staff exposure to airborne contaminants, creating a healthier working environment that supports their wellbeing and reduces absence due to occupational health risks.
The Future of OR Design: Why Avidicare’s Opragon is a Smart Investment
We have built our reputation on pioneering solutions in OR air quality management. The Opragon system is a testament to our commitment to advancing healthcare infrastructure and addressing the complex needs of modern surgical environments. Designed in alignment with the latest scientific findings3 and insights from industry experts, the Opragon system is not just an addition to the OR but a transformative tool for hospitals aiming to lead in safety and efficiency.
In addition to its technical advantages, Opragon is built with practical considerations that simplify installation and maintenance, making it an attractive choice for hospitals seeking long-term, sustainable solutions. For stakeholders involved in hospital design, management, and operations, Opragon represents a comprehensive investment in quality care and operational excellence.
Conclusion: A Future-Proof Solution for Cleaner, More Efficient ORs
As hospitals continue to push the boundaries of innovation and care quality, integrating systems like Avidicare’s Opragon into OR design will be essential. By delivering ultra-clean air through temperature-controlled airflow technology, the Opragon system addresses both safety and efficiency – key factors for any hospital looking to excel in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
For healthcare stakeholders, the choice of an advanced ventilation system like Opragon is a step towards a safer, cleaner, and more efficient OR that benefits patients, staff, and the healthcare facility as a whole.For more information about how Opragon can improve the outcome at your healthcare facility, please contact our team.
References:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19375867241254529
https://www.avidicare.com/evidence/tcaf-installation-reduces-risk-for-ssi-3-to-1-in-large-study/