Zimmerman provided renovation planning and design for a Hybrid Cardiac Operating Room/Lab. The new suite is capable of handling a wide array of heart procedures. The Hybrid OR concept integrates provisions that reduce time in reaction to an event during a procedure. Ultimately, this enhances patient safety by ultimately improving outcomes.
The highly specialized environment features in-room fluoroscopy, ultrasound and 3D mapping – all of which can operate simultaneously. This allows hospital staff to guide surgery in real-time with extreme proficiency. Pre-op time is minimized by administering anesthesia in the room. State-of-the-art x-ray equipment is utilized to ensure the lowest possible radiation dose delivery for patient and staff safety. An adjacent monitoring station for team member viewing facilitates constant presence with the patient.
The Hybrid OR project was planned, designed and constructed in an extremely condensed timeframe. Zimmerman introduced several non-traditional solutions to the design process, including constructing physical mock-ups from readily available materials, which cut the mock-up construction and evaluation time from months – to days. The unit surrounding the lab being remodeled remained operational during all construction, which required extra care on behalf of the team to maintain a safe and efficient project site.
Zimmerman’s expertise ensured the project emphasized critical goals, including a new childcare and youth development center, updates to aging facilities originally built in 1994, and incorporating natural daylight into underutilized spaces. The design also created secure outdoor play areas and fostered collaboration by co-locating community services such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Multi-Cultural Outreach Program.
The completed facility now offers modern resources that support families, promote youth development, and enhance community wellness. This newly transformed space serves as a vibrant hub for engagement and connection, delivering on the YMCA’s mission to meet the community’s growing needs for generations to come.
