TMC: Smooth Operator

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The Surgery Department at the new Texoma Medical Center is a magnificent display of the most advanced integrated technology in the country. Bringing space-age technology to our community was paramount for Operating Room design. TMC is aware that patients have a choice to stay near home, where it is more convenient and economical, or to travel away from home, where the commuting will take its toll on family members (and the budget).

Faithful to our vision, embracing our objectives of safety, compassionate care, and efficiency, we met our goal: operating rooms designed for patient safety in a staff-friendly futuristic environment. This was accomplished by high-level integration systems, shelving suspended from the ceiling to house equipment for surgical cases, high-definition video, flat-panel monitors, state-of- the art LED lights with cameras, computers, automated medication delivery systems, in-room video monitoring and direct access communication to a secure station. These are Surgery’s critical mechanisms for safely managing the operating room’s critical environment for our patients.

TMC's new facilities are state-of-the-art.

Built with safety in mind, the 46–inch HD flat panel monitor in the operating room, similar to what one can find in any home movie theater, is integrated with all the equipment and is used to share patient information that the whole OR team can see at the same time. This screen displays the patient’s vital signs, EKG waveform, and radiographic images. A camera can be attached to the lights so the entire team can view the surgical procedure on the big screen while it is being performed.

Integrating multiple pieces of equipment into one unit (the boom) resulted in changes of workflow and required a creation of a nursing command center within each OR. The nurse managing the command center controls video and technical information, routing signals to specific users. This allows the OR to be more efficient, safe and productive. Our surgeons and highly technical team have embraced this new dimension of practice which has personified teamwork and collaboration.

You can’t recruit the best doctors if you don’t have the latest technology. Surgeons are driven to work where they have the best environment to bring to their patients. Technology is a requirement to deliver today’s highest quality healthcare.

Surgeon comfort is important and it was reflected in our choice of the light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, which is cooler, brighter, and more energy-efficient than traditional halogen lights. Our cooler surgeons are now thrilled with the brighter lights used in surgery.

Most important is our competent, experienced teams. The OR/Endo teams and the Pre and Post Care teams have “service excellence” attitudes, mobilized and energized by the common bond of our patients. These are “star quality” award winning performances you will experience when you visit. We are feeling confident and grateful for our smooth opening and for the assurance that the community has selected us for the hallowed responsibility that is ours.

by Angela Whitfield, RN
Director of Perioperative Services
Texoma Medical Center