
Via Christi Hybrid OR
Location: Wichita, Kansas Owner: Via Christi Health Architect: Pulse Design Group Construction: Eby ConstructionThis project consisted of renovating approximately 1,650 sf of Via Christi St. Francis’ surgery core. Two existing operating rooms (ORs), two restrooms and a control room were decommissioned to create space for one of the area’s first hybrid operating rooms. This state-of-the-art operating room combines some of the most advanced imaging systems with a sterile operating room environment, therefore, enabling surgeons to do minimally invasive heart valve replacements with the option of performing open heart surgeries in the case of an emergency. The project began with clearing the existing space completely down to the bare structure. To facilitate such a vast network of complex equipment, a tremendous number of systems had to be upgraded or modified. This included systems such as normal and emergency power, all medical gases, HVAC systems, water lines, waste lines, steam lines, chilled water lines, sprinkler lines and miles of communications cabling. After the utilities were roughed-in, the wall cavities in between studs were nearly completely filled with conduit and pipes. Lead-lined sheetrock went up followed by the sterile finishes.
This project had a very tight time frame. Before the construction contract was ever signed, Via Christi had a surgeon contracted to start using the finished space on a specified day. The project had to be completed in just under 100 calendar days to be ready for the incoming doctor.