Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

Women & Babies Hospital Sterile OR & AHU Replacement

This project consisted of renovating five existing OR suites, the sterile core and sterile storage. The renovation included a complete replacement of the HVAC system with a 15,000 CFM air handling unit and Multistack chiller at the Women & Babies Hospital.

The operating rooms are positive pressure with laminar air flow ceiling diffusers and low returns and have over 20 air changes to meet all requirements of the FGI guidelines. Medical gases and emergency electrical outlets were provided similarly to the existing ORs with quantities above the guideline minimums and new LIM panels.

Construction was completed in multiple phases to allow for normal operation of the surgical suite throughout construction activities. Our crews including subcontractors worked seven days a week with double shifts to keep the project on task. The surgical suite operates on a 24/7 basis so coordination with the facilities to complete shutdowns and tie-ins to building systems were scheduled around the scheduled surgeries.

During the construction emergency, egress was maintained and the existing egress paths remained unchanged. The work area was protected by ICRA barriers and supplemental poly sheets that jointly form a barrier of fire-resistive material that resists the passage of smoke, dust, and like material debris. The hospital’s ICRA policies were maintained throughout the construction activity and are on file at the medical center.