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In a move designed to improve efficiency and workflow, Trinity Health will consolidate its surgical service units as it relocates to the new healthcare campus.

Surgery Director Denise Dahl says plans are in the works to unite surgical centers that currently exist at three locations – the inpatient and same-day surgery units at Trinity Hospital, the same-day center at Trinity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and the GI/same day unit at Trinity Health Medical Arts.

“From an efficiency standpoint, it’ll be a blessing,” Dahl said. “It will be much easier to staff and equip.”

The new campus will house one of the finest surgical facilities in the region with some of the most technologically advanced components available. As moving day nears to under a year away, she’s beginning to hear the buzz.

“People are getting excited and looking forward to working in the new facility,” Dahl said. “Anything we can feed them about the new campus they absorb.”

Located in the new main hospital adjacent to other acute care services, the surgery center will encompass pre-operative and recovery areas, 12 operating rooms, including a heart suite and one set for da Vinci robotic-assisted procedures; and a central core area for storing and staging sterile supplies. The OR suites will eventually expand to 14 and serve patients across a broad range of specialties.

A key design feature will allow improved interaction between the central core and central processing – the unit where supplies are cleaned, prepared, processed and re-issued for patient care. “We’ll have a better workflow between the central core and CPU,” Dahl explained, “and it will help us streamline and improve our processes. We’ll also have the ability to use what we call case carts, where we pick our supplies and have everything we need for a case on one cart.”

“Hard Hat Insider” has delved into numerous highpoints within Trinity’s new campus. The themes of privacy, safety and comfort have emerged as touchstones, and the surgery center will reflect those themes as well. “Families will find their experience enhanced in several ways,” Dahl says. “The family waiting area will have added privacy, and we’ll have three consult rooms where surgeons can meet with families and update them in an area that maximizes confidentiality.”

Another aspect of the design that Dahl says will benefit every department is the front of house, back of house feature. “For us, having same-day surgery on the same level as surgery will make a huge difference. There won’t be the need to transport patients between floors. That alone will make us more efficient. Plus, moving to a system where all our materials and central supply are onsite will benefit the whole care system.”