The new hybrid room at Skånes University Hospital in Lund is a prime example of the multidisciplinary future of the hospital world.
The 90 m2 spacious high-tech room is designed according to the highest standards with top-quality equipment, and anaesthesia nurse Lars Ferhm describes the room as an inspiring workplace. Since June 1st of this year, Lars Ferhm has been serving as the coordinator for the hybrid room – and he is extremely proud of the patient benefits that arise from the room's high technological level.
The hybrid room in Lund encompasses multiple surgical disciplines in one space. Open surgery and catheter procedures can be performed separately or in combination. Trauma surgery, pediatric surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and thoracic surgery – and potentially even more disciplines in the future.
— Medical advancements have paved the way for the hybrid approach, where multiple types of surgeries are combined. The surgical specialities work together for the benefit of the patient, says Lars Ferhm, anaesthesia nurse, who has been serving as the coordinator for the hybrid room since June 1st of this year.
Incorporated adaptability
— For example, a patient who has been involved in a traffic accident can benefit from being operated on in the hybrid room, explains Lars Ferhm and continues:
— Typically, internal bleeding would be stopped in the radiology department, and then the patient would be transported to the operating room for treatment of other injuries. Now, we can perform all procedures in one place and avoid risky transportation. The same applies if complications arise during a surgical procedure using catheter techniques. With the room's built-in flexibility, we can quickly prepare for open surgery. In other words, the hybrid room serves as both a high-tech radiology laboratory and a multidimensional operating room.
Meticulous preparation and top-notch quality
The hybrid room in Lund is the first of its kind, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of hospital facilities. Since its inaugural operation in June of this year, approximately 25 major surgeries have been performed in the hybrid room. In addition, an extensive training program is being conducted for the upcoming personnel of the hybrid room.
Given the nature of this innovative room, a large team will be associated with its operation, according to Lars Ferhm. Each department will bring its own team from its respective units, which presents unique requirements in terms of flexibility and training. However, the hybrid room was conceptualized from the outset with a multidisciplinary approach. A project group has been in place since 2008, consisting of representatives from anaesthesia, thoracic, radiology, general surgery, pediatric surgery, and medical technology departments. The preparation has been meticulous, and the equipment has been carefully selected to be state-of-the-art.
Lighting and ventilation of exceptional quality
The hybrid room is striking with its two impressive 56" screens, two sculptural C-ray arches, advanced anaesthesia equipment, and a heart/lung machine. The lighting and ventilation in the room are exceptional, creating a nearly particle-free and temperature-controlled climate in the operating area. This meets the highest hygiene requirements and provides a comfortable environment for both patients and staff. The lighting is ergonomic and specifically tailored to the various functions in the room. The Ergonomic Lighting is controlled from a wall panel with twelve pre-programmed light settings. There is a special patient light and cleaning light, and during open surgery, the room lighting adjusts the colour temperature of the operating lamps. For screen surgery, zone-indicated coloured light is used to reduce screen reflection and create an optimal working environment for all functions in the room.
Optimal patient care
According to Lars Ferhm, the lighting in the hybrid room is truly exceptional.
— Ergonomic Lighting is flexible and can be adjusted for all types of procedures. It is easy to operate – and the various lighting settings bring great joy to the staff. They find it comfortable to work in, although, of course, there is a slight learning curve with all the new features. Above all, the hybrid room is a breakthrough for the patient, who receives optimal treatment from a team that works with equipment, lighting, and ventilation of the highest technical quality, he concludes.