The architecture of the surgical department

When planning new hospitals, special attention has to be paid to the operating theatres, since, on the one hand, it is important to create good working conditions in a high-risk and stressful environment, and, on the other hand, the need for cost-effectiveness requires careful planning. In the past decades, OT planning has been dominated by functional considerations, often resulting in work environments with low personnel satisfaction levels. Thus, when planning for the future, it would be advisable to have experimental ORs where attention could be paid to a number of relevant factors such as space requirements, ergonomics, design, hygiene requirements, and ventilation, with the aim of building ORs which, while still being functional, also offer acceptable conditions for both personnel and patients.