Modern hardware for patient care

Marienkrankenhaus Hamburg

Refurbishment of operating theaters with support from Rein Medical

When houses undergo a core refurbishment, the aim is usually to achieve modern fittings and more living comfort and to extend the lifespan of a house. The residents are generally not present during this process. Refurbishing operating theaters in a hospital poses a much greater challenge: After all, ongoing operations must be maintained and patient safety ensured at the same time.

The Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg faced precisely this challenge. A total of 7 operating theaters were to be renovated, and further structural measures were also planned for the hospital. As the refurbishment also directly affected the technical and IT equipment in the operating theaters, the decision was made in Hamburg to use a restricted tendering procedure to find suitable partners for the project. The Marienkrankenhaus received support from Rein Medical GmbH, among others. The Mönchengladbach-based manufacturer and developer of software and hardware solutions in the field of medical IT supplied monitors and PCs for wall installation in various sizes to northern Germany.

Professional expertise in demand

Those responsible in Hamburg had already clearly defined their project requirements and thus also the requirements for the potential external partner in the run-up to the tender. “It was important for us to find a provider who specializes in the hardware required for the operating theatre and who supplies high-quality products,” explains Rolf Rathjen, Head of Medical Technology at Marienkrankenhaus Hamburg. “In addition, the PCs and monitors should fit very well in
We didn’t want to see any cables in the operating room,” emphasizes Rolf Rathjen. “Ultimately, however, professional time management was also a top priority for us,” explains the
Head of Medical Technology. “Particularly in such a comprehensive restructuring process, we believe that meeting deadlines is crucial for success.”

At the end of 2015, Rein Medical was chosen as the partner for the required hardware, and the renovation of the operating theaters began at the start of the new year. At the same time, the hospital commissioned another company to supply the OR integration software – not an unusual situation from Rein Medical’s point of view. “We are used to working professionally and as a team with all of our project partners,” says Roland Schleberger, Key Account Manager at Rein Medical and project manager. “That’s why there were no difficulties in Hamburg either, quite the opposite: our partner commissioned by the hospital to supply the OR integration software also asked us to supply the hardware it needed in the form of 55″ monitors for wall installation,” explains the project manager. “The special feature here is the 4K UHD imaging: our Operion 3 monitors are also available as UHD monitors and are available with a wide range of display diagonals,” explains Roland Schleberger. “We are proud to have realized our first project with a 4K UHD display in Germany.”

Rein Medical supplied a total of two 27″ OPERION displays with PC for wall installation and one 55″ OPERION display (4K) for each operating theater. The company also provided a 24″ CLINIO PC with touchscreen for the introduction. All monitors and PCs were installed on site by employees of the Mönchengladbach-based specialist, and Rein Medical was also responsible for training the Hamburg employees. “At all times
We were able to rely on our partner in the project,” says Rolf Rathjen happily. “From our point of view, both coordination and delivery were perfect and always on schedule,” continued the Head of Medical Technology. The Marienkrankenhaus then took over the connection of the hospital information system (HIS) itself, in the form of the team led by IT manager Norbert Groth.

IT in dry cloths – even under adverse conditions

Refurbishing the operating theaters in Hamburg was no easy task. The operating theaters were shut down for the conversion work, which meant that other rooms had to be fully available for ongoing patient care at the same time. The operating theaters of the Marienkrankenhaus were also gutted, the ceilings were removed and a completely new floor ceiling was built – two new floors were then added. It goes without saying that one or two things can go wrong in such a mammoth project. “Anyone who knows the weather in Germany, and especially in Hamburg, knows that we sometimes have “Schietwedder”,” smiles Rolf Rathjen. “We therefore had to contend with water here and there”. So it’s a good thing that everything went smoothly in terms of IT. “We felt very well looked after by our contacts at Rein Medical,” is Rolf Rathjen’s initial summary of the collaboration. “Above all, the sharpness of the images and the level of detail in the presentation of endoscopic images on the 4K displays have more than convinced our employees, so that nobody wants to do without them any more,” continues the Head of Medical Technology.

Flawless live operation after just under a year

Hamburg is more than satisfied with the progress of the project. Since the end of last year, the systems have been running flawlessly in live operation in four completed operating theaters. “Rein Medical impressed us with the quality of the PCs and monitors, but also with the professional implementation of the project,” says Rolf Rathjen, praising the partner. “The collaboration, including with the other service providers we commissioned, was uncomplicated and problem-free,” says the Head of Medical Technology. Construction phase 3 is currently underway at Marienkrankenhaus: the refurbishment and completion of the last three operating theaters. Rein Medical is also responsible for the IT equipment here, in the same way as the already renovated and newly equipped operating theaters. “We are delighted that our partner is also supporting us in the third and final construction phase,” says Rolf Rathjen. “We will certainly be happy to make use of Rein Medical’s expertise and products in future projects,” says the Head of Medical Technology.