“Where do you want to be in ten years?” This is one of the first questions Julian Grimaldi ask customers when discussing Hybrid operating rooms (Hybrid ORs). Being the expert planner at Getinge for these state-of-the-art solutions, he is all about preparing hospitals for the future.
This year Getinge celebrates 20 years of pioneering the Hybrid OR – a place that goes beyond medical boundaries by combining an OR with one or more imaging systems such as angiography, computed tomography scanners (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging scanners (MRI).
But it all starts with an early idea, which turns into a solid plan.
“Often customers ask for something new to answer to a certain need. The idea of installing a Hybrid OR often spring from that need,” explains Julian Grimaldi, Hybrid OR planning expert at Getinge.
Since it’s a big investment, the decision to build a Hybrid OR must be thoroughly thought through and the description of the outcome must be super clear.
“We start by talking about where to be in ten years. A Hybrid OR allows for various surgical and interventional applications and provides huge flexibility, and you actually need to allow flexibility in a ten years period too to end up where you desire to be. It’s about jointly preparing for the future of surgery,” says Julian.
It differs how long it takes to setup a Hybrid OR from scratch, depending on factors such as the complexity of the project, the hospital workflow and number of disciplines involved. And not the least; if it’s one modality or a mix of several ones.
“I would say 15 months is a minimum for the delivery of an up and running Hybrid OR but it can take up to 30 months. For multi-modality suites it can take even longer.”
One thing all projects have in common is that it’s a true team effort with many specialists from Getinge involved, as well as many people from different departments at the hospital.
“We need to find a solution that makes everyone happy – the hospital management of course but also surgeons, radiologists, nurses, anesthetists and all other people from different disciplines who will work in the Hybrid OR providing safer procedures for patients.”
Julian’s role is especially important in the early project phase where he supports in finding architectural solutions that fit into the given space and fulfill the customer’s requirements. A Getinge Hybrid OR always consists of tailor made solutions by mixing relevant products to maximize the outcome for every customer.
“Together with our imaging partners we create value by providing an entirely new workflow and workplace where both diagnostics and therapies takes place. It includes devices such as a special Hybrid OR table, surgical lights, pendants and anesthesia machines but also products like modular room systems and OR integration systems.”
With more than 1,350 Hybrid ORs sold worldwide during the last 20 years, Julian and the rest of the big worldwide Hybrid OR community at Getinge have gained deep knowledge and the aim is to continue as a pioneer.
“There are more to do. Right now we are in the middle of the journey of starting up a new Hybrid OR in our Getinge Experience Center in Rastatt, Germany. It’s beside other Getinge Experience Centers and imaging partner showrooms around the world a great place to learn more about the possibilities a Hybrid OR offers. And now that we add this brand new space in Rastatt I look forward to spend even more time with our customers there to prepare more hospitals for the future.”
In 2019 Getinge celebrates driving the future of surgery for 20 years, read more about it: Twenty years of driving the future of surgery