Oregon Health & Science University – Doernbecher – iMRI Addition

Healthcare

Owner Oregon Health & Science University

Architect SRG Partnership Inc.

Expertise MEP Engineering

Completion Date 2015

Size 10,000sf

Challenge

The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) aimed to enhance its medical capabilities by introducing the first pediatric intraoperative MRI (iMRI) facility on the West Coast. This advanced equipment was expected to significantly improve patient outcomes by providing real-time MRI scanning data during operations. However, the installation of such technically advanced medical devices posed significant challenges, including the need to integrate with existing and new equipment, such as a new surgery air handler, an emergency exhaust system, and an oxygen monitoring system. Additionally, the entire multi-building OHSU hospital expansion was being carved into a hillside, which required careful coordination to address potential utility and leveling issues.

Solution

Mazzetti, as the MEP Lead, collaborated closely with the entire project team to ensure the successful installation of the iMRI suite in the operating room. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was extensively used to facilitate the integration of the various equipment pieces and their respective infrastructure tie-ins. This approach allowed the team to communicate potential issues before they became roadblocks, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process.

Outcome

The successful installation of the iMRI suite at OHSU has been described as a “game changer” by Dr. Nathan Selden, the Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. The iMRI provides real-time MRI scanning data during operations, reducing patient discomfort and minimizing the surgery cycle time. This advancement has had a high impact on both adult and pediatric patients at OHSU, enhancing the hospital’s ability to deliver exceptional medical care.

Facilitating revolutionary intraoperative equipment for a revolutionary hospital

Providing a revolutionary MRI experience

The iMRI Suite is the first pediatric intraoperative MRI facility on the West Coast; this modern marvel of medical equipment is unusual to have in a children’s hospital and is a “game changer” according to Dr. Nathan Selden, the Chair of Department of Neurological Surgery. He describes this equipment as holding the promise to have “a very high impact for OHSU adult and pediatric patients.” In summary, the iMRI provides real-time MRI scanning data during operations, reducing patient discomfort and minimizing a surgery cycle to achieve operational excellence in a timely manner.

Installing these technically advanced medical devices required specific attention to existing and other new equipment, including a new surgery air handler, which now back-feeds the existing surgery suite, in addition to an emergency exhaust system, and an oxygen monitoring system to maintain safety in the iMRI suites. Numerous modifications to existing electrical and hydronic infrastructure were employed to support this new imaging suite. Watch the video below to hear how the new iMRI is a total “game changer”.

Overcoming infrastructure and space constraints

Mazzetti, as MEP Lead, collaborated with the entire project team on the iMRI installation in the operating room. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was used extensively to facilitate the integration of the many different equipment pieces and their respective infrastructure tie-ins.

Interestingly, the entire multi-building OHSU hospital expansion was physically being carved into a hillside. This emphasized the need for greater team coordination to communicate potential utility and leveling issues before they became a roadblock to progress.