Thursday, August 29, 2024

Behind the Scenes at the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion: Preparing for a New Era in Cancer Care

As we approach the opening of the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion, GBMC’s new home for cancer care, in early 2025, the excitement is building! But behind the scenes, a major effort is underway to ensure that everything is ready for our patients (and staff!) from day one.  

Leading this complex initiative is Rebecca “Becky” Stover, MSN, RN, PMP, Director of Project Management, whose expertise guided us through a smooth transition into the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Building last fall. Her leadership will be equally instrumental in ensuring the same success for this project. To that end, Rebecca and her team have been meticulously planning and coordinating efforts across various departments to ensure that the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion will be fully operational and ready to serve our community. 

Departmental Walkthroughs: Mapping Out Success 

One of the key strategies in preparing for the Pavilion’s opening has been a series of detailed walkthroughs involving various departments, including our Epic systems experts. These sessions have been essential for mapping out daily operations and IT systems and envisioning how they will adapt to the new space. By walking through the Pavilion, Connie Herbold, Ambulatory Practice Administrator, has been instrumental, along with the oncology teams, in helping to identify potential gaps, optimize movement, and even fine-tune the language and instructions that will become part of daily routines. For instance, guiding patients through the building might involve specific directions like, “Please walk down this hallway to your left and have a seat at the first blue pod.” These walkthroughs are crucial in ensuring that everyone is prepared for day one, with a clear understanding of how the new environment will function. 

Emergency Preparedness: Ready for Any Situation 

The safety and well-being of our patients are paramount, which is why our Emergency Response teams have also been involved in these walkthroughs. Critical discussions have taken place about the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the pathways from the main hospital to the Berman Pavilion, and which elevators provide access to specific rooms. These preparations are vital to ensuring that in the event of an emergency, our teams can respond swiftly and effectively. 

Orientation, Education, and Equipment Readiness 

Simultaneously, our orientation and education is being mapped out to provide training required for all staff who will be working in the Pavilion. This includes everything from new workflows to a general overview of the facility’s features. Ensuring that our staff is fully prepared is essential to providing the best possible care from day one. 

On the equipment front, every detail is being considered. Equipment orders have been carefully reviewed and placed, with attention to even the smallest components. For example, while suction canisters have been ordered, it’s also important to ensure that the necessary suction tubing is in place. This level of detail is what will allow us to deliver care without interruption. 

Supply Chain and IT: Laying the Foundation 

On the supply chain front, Becky’s team is working closely with Melanie Nelson, Senior Manager of Supply Chain Operations, to plan the inventory needs for the Pavilion. This includes everything from the initial bulk shipments to the ongoing par levels that will be required to keep things running smoothly. The team is also mapping out where inventory will be stored throughout the building to ensure easy access. 

Meanwhile, our IT team, led by Reshma Dave, Senior IT Program Manager, recently achieved a major milestone. The Pavilion’s network has been connected in preparation for inspections. This critical step ensures that all systems will be fully operational, with badge access planning already underway to manage who will have admittance to specific rooms and areas. 

This work is a massive undertaking, and I want to thank the many members of our teams across multiple disciplines of our health system for their contributions.

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