Aspen Mountain Medical Center, the area’s newest hospital, is equipped with four state-of-the-art operating suites to fulfill a variety of surgery needs.
From potential patient anxieties to physician requirements, the hospital is fully equipped for the staff to take on any obstacle that may come their way.
“They really just thought about every aspect when they created this place,” said Perioperative Manager Tessa Lytle.
What’s so special about it?
For starters, Aspen Mountain Medical Center is equipped with two separate corridors in their operation area. This may not sound like anything special, until you realize just how those corridors are used.
The front hallway is where patients will be brought in and out of surgery. The back hallway will be utilized for equipment storage and sterile processing.
Let’s face it—surgery is already stressful. Being wheeled passed medical equipment or seeing someone carrying instruments from an operating room can add to that stress and be flat-out scary. With two corridors, AMMC keeps these experiences to an absolute minimum.
“We can concentrate on making the patient experience excellent,” says Lytle. “They don’t have to see any equipment. They don’t have to see anything that might be troublesome to a patient going into surgery.”
Not only is the Aspen Mountain Medical Center experience less stressful for the patient, it also has something special for the patient’s friends and families.
A HIPAA secure smart board is displayed in the lobby for friends and family to view. This can provide updates on a surgery quickly and efficiently.
Not only does the smart board keep the family updated, it prevents medical staff from having to leave the patient’s side. This technology means medical personnel can focus on what matters most—the patient.
Behind the scenes, technology will be utilized to break down barriers and enhance communication.
During surgery, vital sign monitors are integrated with the Electronic Medical Record. This prevents someone from potentially missing a reading or simply miscommunicating it.
Additionally, smart boards in each operating room display pertinent medical information. Things like data on the procedure, the patient’s blood type, and even allergy information is all on display for the surgeon and staff.
How will the personnel use all that technology?
Well, it’s true that AMMC has a lot of new technology, and it will take time for people to learn how it’s used. Fortunately, medical personnel have already begun practicing.
“This is a unique opportunity in the fact that every piece of equipment that’s coming in to Aspen right now is new,” said Lytle. “So we all have to learn how to use it and make sure that we’re using it efficiently and effectively—and that we’re using it to its maximum potential.”
With most things, practice makes perfect. The staff has been practicing sterile technique and learning how the Electronic Medical Record speaks to other departments and the integrated system.
How can I see the operating rooms?
You don’t have to have surgery to see AMMC’s state-of-the-art operating rooms. You have the opportunity to see the operation suites during AMMC’s open house at their facility at 4401 College Drive in Rock Springs on April 2. The open house provides the chance for people to tour the hospital and meet with physicians, staff, and administrators.