URMC Rochester, New York, USA

Residents of the greater Rochester area now have access to one of the most advanced ambulatory surgical centers in the country. The University of Rochester Medical Center facility was designed with the highest level of safety and comfort in mind. It is the first healthcare system in the U.S. to employ the Opragon, a novel operating room ventilation system.

When URMC in Rochester, NY, faced the construction of a new surgical center, they chose to equip one of eight operating theaters with the energy-efficient and innovative Opragon system.

By using the laws of physics, where cold air is heavier than warm, it is a more energy efficient way to ventilate the operating room. While the OR is more comfortable to work in, it also becomes safer for both staff and patient when airborne particles are swept down to the floor and out of the room. 

The surgeons have a strong preference for this room as it is one of the quietest and most comfortable OR’s they have worked in. Before final HEPA certification, we pre-tested each room. Our independent certification process showed the Opragon room was equal to an ISO 5 clean room without performing any terminal cleaning or requiring the staff to wear protective clothing. This is a testament to the physics of design in the Opragon ultra-clean delivery system.

– Mark Schwartz, CHFM, CHC, Director of University Facilities and Operations for URMC

Read more about the installation at URMC in an article published in Outpatient Surgery Magazine and online via AORN.

Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York, USA

Given the exceptional outcomes and high satisfaction among staff, management at URMC chose to install Opragon again when renovation was required for one of the operating rooms at Strong Memorial Hospital.

“We were enthusiastic about equipping one of our existing operating rooms with Opragon when the opportunity to renovate materialized. The ventilation system not only fosters a very comfortable and effective working environment, but Avidicare also provided for quick delivery and installation, allowing the construction team to stay on schedule.”

– Mark Schwartz, CHFM, CHC, Director of University Facilities and Operations for URMC

Installing new technology can be challenging, particularly within an existing building. A flexible solution is necessary, one that considers the building’s construction and limitations. What sets Opragon apart from traditional ultra-clean ventilation systems is its flexibility. It requires as little as 12 inches for plenum installation, providing a fully functional operating theater for infection-sensitive surgeries!

Follow the installation Step-by-Step here!

Aesthetics Associates Centre, Buffalo, New York, USA

The 13,000 sq. foot clinic was recently renovated and extended in size with an additional 15,000 sq. foot facility. The new OR and the refurbished existing OR are equipped with Opragon ventilation systems in order to provide the best care possible to patients.

“Avidicare offers a system that has been proven in more than three hundred of installations in Europe. Research confirms its superior performance by using gravity instead of blowing air to make the room clean. We were looking for the best OR ventilation system available and Opragon was the answer. The sleek, modern styling looks fantastic as well.”

– Todd and Sam Shatkin, Aesthetics Associates Centre