OPERATING THEATRE TECHNOLOGY
Facility for clinicians to interact with technology
Starkstrom, the specialist in clinical infrastructure for hospitals and other healthcare facilities, has recently opened a new demonstration and training facility at its Syston headquarters in Leicestershire. Here clinicians can interact with the latest advanced infrastructure and operating theatre technologies within a dedicated environment that showcases how these solutions can be integrated into the healthcare space. Louise Frampton, the editor of HEJ’s sister publication, The Clinical Services Journal, reports.
Vital infrastructure and operating theatres are becoming increasingly intelligent, with a plethora of complex technologies – from robotics, and 3D navigation and imaging, to artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality. Understanding how these technologies can be safely and effectively integrated and configured within the healthcare space is vital to improving patient outcomes, efficiency, and the future-proofing of healthcare facilities. This increasing complexity was a driver for Starkstrom’s recent investment in a new demonstration and training facility at its headquarters, to help stakeholders – such as clinicians, architects, healthcare estates personnel, and electrical and mechanical engineers – to plan and configure vital infrastructure and technology installations. The Clinical Services Journal recently visited Starkstrom’s new state-of-the-art demonstration and training facility in Leicestershire – joining managing director, Guy Pomroy, for a guided tour. The company, which was first established in 1971, provides clinical infrastructure solutions to hospitals for critical care areas. In 1995, Starkstrom first introduced an isolated power supply to meet the impending IEC Directive, which required medical locations to meet stringent requirements for safe electrical provision. Today, the company’s portfolio has expanded to include a range of operating theatre lights, operating tables, and electrosurgery solutions, through to PACS viewing stations, theatre control panels, medical services pendants, and critical power solutions.
An interactive setting Following the opening of the new demonstration and training facility, clinicians can now touch and interact with the latest advanced vital infrastructure and operating theatre technologies within a dedicated environment that showcases how these solutions can be integrated into the healthcare space to improve patient safety, advance surgery, enhance efficiency, and minimise vital infrastructure and theatre downtime. The technology demonstration facility also incorporates a training area for both staff and customers. “Some of our best ‘showrooms’ are the hospitals where our vital infrastructure and operating theatre equipment has been installed – new customers can visit these facilities and see the technology in situ,” Guy Pomroy explained. “However, vital infrastructure and operating theatres are becoming increasingly complex, and we wanted to create a facility that would help clinicians make effective and informed decisions on how their technology could be configured. This includes aiding decisions on the accessories that they may want to connect to the
pendants, the camera configurations on the operating theatre lights, and audio-visual equipment they may require. “Within a week of opening the facility, we welcomed a number of clinicians and other stakeholders to it, and the feedback was really positive. They can be hands-on with the technology in an environment where it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake,” he continued.
Customer preferences The facility has been created with a frame above the ceiling space that allows the room to be reconfigured at will, giving the flexibility to demonstrate and explore a variety of customer preferences for the vital infrastructure and operating theatre set-up – helping surgeons (as well as architects and electrical and engineering firms) to visualise a wide range of technology configurations in a realistic environment. “The facility allows us to develop new innovations in a relatively live environment and evaluate how they might be received by clinicians,” Guy Pomroy added. “We also invest in continuous training for our staff and field engineers, and this state-of-the-art facility will help ensure the highest standards of technical support for healthcare providers that have installed our technologies.” He further explained that some of the training courses are being recorded on video, and these will be shared via an online platform in the future. There will also be a programme of courses (currently being CPD accredited), and these will be made available via an ‘app’ and online, to facilitate flexible learning. This is in addition to the provision of in-person training.
Clinicians, architects, and engineering firms visiting the new demonstration and training facility can visualise a range of technology configurations in a realistic setting.
April 2025 Health Estate Journal 49
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