Kreisklinik Gross-Umstadt, Germany

The need

A short-term closure of two of District Hospital Gross-Umstadt’s operating theatres was necessary to accommodate a brief refurbishment. It meant that the hospital needed an efficient solution to maintain patient flow.

The Vanguard plan

Working with the hospital’s team, Vanguard developed a plan to help the hospital achieve a completed refurbishment in four weeks. However, following the hospital’s successful programme of works, the project was completed in 10 days – two weeks ahead of schedule. This accelerated refurbishment rate cut the hospital’s costs and minimised disruption to patients.

The Vanguard solution

Following the commissioning and testing period, the facility was able to receive its first patients within two weeks of delivery. The team at Vanguard worked closely with the host hospital staff during the critical set-up time. During this period, they monitored the necessary testing. This ensured that the resulting clinical environment met the rigorous standards required.

Staff at Gross-Umstadt spent a week alongside the Vanguard team, working in close partnership. Together, they achieved an efficient and effective implementation of the Healthcare Space during the refurbishment period. The hospital’s clinical staff adapted quickly to the new environment too. Their professionalism was a significant contributing factor to the ultimate success of the project.

The outcome

Through the deployment of a mobile operating theatre equipped with a laminar flow air system, which permits greater flexibility than a standard theatre, the hospital maintained its service levels across a range of surgical specialities while the refurbishment was ongoing. This preserved continuous patient care, and patients continued to have local access to procedures.

Refurbishments were completed within 10 days with no loss of service provision.

Dr. Achim May, OR Coordinator of the District Hospital Gross-Umstadt, told us: “Due to the efficient and constructive cooperation with Vanguard in advance, we implemented the transport and the construction of the mobile facilities without any problems.”