Clarian Health needed an OR that would accommodate Interoperative Cranial MRI procedures. The standard practice was to keep cranial surgery and MRI scanning separate – creating several infection hazards and risk to patients. Cripe designed and produced an OR that allowed for the scanning equipment (weighing two tons) to be in the same room as the operation. A magnetic case was built to house the scanning equipment, and the equipment could then be brought out to the patient as scans were needed. A tent and 40 inch flat screen allowed the scan to be produced and reviewed by surgeons (eliminating the old process – recovery, scan, second surgery).

Cripe provided Architectural Design, Equipment Planning services for this project.

Cripe had to completely rework the structure of the room, with additional support for the floor due to the weight of equipment, and the containment and shielding for the MRI (magnetic field). None of the other equipment could be magnetic, so upgrading the entire room to accommodate this factor was vital.

This significant project allowed the OR to provide versatility for both cranial surgery and MRI scanning, and is the first interoperative cranial MRI in the state of Indiana.

Time constraints were important due to the impact reduced space and equipment has on hospital processes. Being an OR, and in this particular section of the hospital, surrounding areas were not only tight spaces, but highly sensitive ones. Scheduling played a large role in construction, so that other procedures could continue in the adjacent rooms. The project was completed on time, and on budget.

Size   1,000 square feet
Construction Cost   $ 3 million
Completion   January 1, 2006