Residents of north Glasgow are benefiting from the significant upgrading and refitting of two operating theatres at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Started mid-September 2005, the project involving Theatres R and S was finished by the end of November. This speed of installation meant theatre downtime was kept to a minimum. Howorth worked closely with the architects, Armitage Associates, to produce a quality compliant project on time and within budget.
Theatre R was fully refitted and refurbished, and the Howorth Exflow Ultra-Clean Ventilation Canopy installed. The Exflow 90-5 is one of the world’s most advanced ultra-clean ventilation systems, with its unique graded velocity air profile. Its installation will facilitate a larger throughput of orthopaedic patients, thereby reducing waiting times in this key area.
Theatre R also received new ceilings, floor and wall finishes, furniture and doors, and a Howorth Isolated Power System with UPS back-up. The Isolated Power System protects the patient from the risk of electric shock and thereby possible defibrillation while under anaesthetic.
Both Theatres R and S had new airconditioning and BMS controls systems installed, ensuring the provision of optimum environmental conditions for surgical procedures, patients and clinicians.
All works were carried out within a live operating department with surrounding theatres still in use – this entailed close co-operation between all involved to ensure clean conditions were maintained throughout the demolition and re-fit. The theatres were isolated and the site maintained under negative pressure during the works. Full service to the surrounding theatres continued at all times and Theatre S returned to use after only seven weeks.
