Operating Rooms now in the Maternity Ward

Statement by Dr Dale Wilmot, BHB Chief of Obstetrics

Operating Rooms now in the Maternity Ward

(Hamilton, Bermuda – Thursday 5 February 2015) Two modern operating rooms are now ready for use in the Maternity Unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The completion of the rooms marks the first time operating rooms have been available within the unit.
One room will function solely as a state-of-the-art OR for both planned and emergency Caesarean-sections, with the second room retained for routine deliveries but fully equipped as a back-up OR. Both rooms are located next to the birthing rooms, making it easier for women who require emergency interventions.
In the past, mothers requiring emergency C- sections were taken to operating rooms that are one level above the Maternity Unit’s delivery rooms.
Having the ORs within the Maternity Unit increases the safety not only of mothers but also their babies when surgical interventions are required. The close proximity to the Special Care Baby Unit within the Maternity Unit means that, if necessary, specialist resources are immediately available for newborns.
Having the OR close to the nursery also allows mothers to bond with their babies for longer periods than was possible when the OR was on a different level. And studies show that mother baby bonding may help prevent diseases, boost immunity and enhance IQ of the baby.
The rooms were designed in 2008 to international standards incorporating best practices for maternity units. When the new ORs opened in the Acute Care Wing (ACW), all but one in the General Wing closed. One was remained solely to accommodate maternity cases including emergencies. Because of the shift to the ACW, the need for close back-up facilities became evident, and the design was revised to incorporate a second room capable of carrying out C-sections in an emergency. In addition to its use in emergency cases, the new Maternity ORs also allow more effective scheduling of planned C-sections.
Somers Construction won the contract and began building last year. Other Bermuda firms involved in the project as sub-contractors included BESCO, Bermuda Air Conditioning and Universal Electric Ltd – now Bermuda Universal Electric.
Locating ORs in the Maternity Unit is an example of the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s commitment to provide safe quality care to the community.
This project was a collaborative effort involving expertise from our engineering, procurement and clinical teams.

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