The expansion of the University Hospitals Surgical Pathology Lab focused on the improved workflow, handling, and processing of specimens while improving the work environment for the staff and doctors in the hospital. The expansion increases overall processing capacity while decreasing peak-time backlog and reducing staff stress. By understanding operational procedures, required specimen capacity, flow, and projected future growth, the design team analyzed scenarios that enhanced the flow, staff interaction, and teaching capacity.
Folding in new technology at the reading benches allows real-time streaming video consulting between pathologists in the lab and surgeons in the Operating Rooms who can remain scrubbed-in while discussing specimen results. Special considerations were also made to address current exhaust and spatial deficiencies in the existing lab for the program’s CAP Certification.
