Improving Workflow in the Operating Room

Starkstrom’s Theatre Control Panels (TCP), sometimes called Surgeon’s Control Panels or Operating Room Panels are typically wall mounted, flush metal enclosures that provide a focal point for monitoring and controlling the operating room environment. Clinical staff can adjust the controls of medical equipment and the operating room environment, and be alerted to any problems via alarms. Technical staff can easily inspect and maintain several different subsystems with minimum disruption to wall integrity. Stored information such as operating manuals or historic temperature and humidity levels can be easily viewed.

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Starkstrom’s Theatre Control Panels can also be designed to allow the user to listen to music, via a 3.5mm microphone jack or audio Bluetooth wireless connectivity for most smart devices, preventing the need to have a separate audio system. Also available are Starkstrom’s Laser Interlock Systems that enable hospitals to comply with best practice when providing clinicians with a safe environment in which to operate hazardous lasers.

Theatre Control Panels should be considered if a hospital area has two or more of the following:

  1. user control ventilation
  2. medical gas alarms or AGSS control panels
  3. power monitoring alarm panels, such as IPS and UPS
  4. operating or exam lights with battery backup and/or wall mounted controls

Benefits to hospital staff for Starkstrom’s Theatre Control Panels are:

  • Improved Workflow – provide a convenient single point to store and access information, alert user to status information if an alarm sounds, and for cable routing during installation.
  • Infection Prevention and Hygiene – Starkstrom’s eTCP and wTCP fascias are designed with a membrane overlay allowing the surface to be wiped clean without being hindered by recesses or other dirt traps. During maintenance, the panels can be accessed from the front or rear – rear access via an unsterile corridor is often preferred to help keep the operating room clean.
  • Bespoke Solutions – panels can be customised and designed from a wide choice of styles and functions to meet a hospital’s specific requirements, and offer a degree of future proofing and flexibility to accommodate enhancements. Available in portrait or landscape orientation.
eTCP24

NEW Electronic Touch Screen Panel (eTCP24)

Modern flexible ‘electronic’ operating room control panel offers:

  • Easy-to-clean hard coat polyester membrane overlay promoting infection prevention.
  • 24” touch screen and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) can be linked to the Building Management System for easy access to the operating room domain.
  • Choice of analogue or digital time of day clock with digital elapsed time clock.
  • Access information, such as stored operating manuals, room temperature and humidity measurements.
  • Control of operating lights (main, satellite), general lights and illuminated warning signs.
  • Integration of other manufacturer’s equipment controls, e.g. IPS and UPS, operating tables, ventilation, audio, laser interlocks.
  • Two distinct alarms – Standard Alarm and Medical Gas Alarm for faults on medical gases. Alarm Mute feature also available for use during maintenance.
  • Easy to accommodate new theatre innovations with software upgrades, reducing operating room downtime.
eTCP17

Electronic Touch Screen Panel (eTCP17)

Modern flexible ‘electronic’ operating room control panel offers:

  • Easy-to-clean hard coat polyester membrane overlay promoting infection prevention.
  • 17” touch screen and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) can be linked to the Building Management System for easy access to the operating room domain.
  • Choice of analogue or digital time of day clock with digital elapsed time clock.
  • Access information, such as stored operating manuals, room temperature and humidity measurements.
  • Control of operating lights (main, satellite), general lights and illuminated warning signs.
  • Integration of other manufacturer’s equipment controls, e.g. IPS and UPS, operating tables, ventilation, audio, laser interlocks.
  • Two distinct alarms – Standard Alarm and Medical Gas Alarm for faults on medical gases. Alarm Mute feature also available for use during maintenance.
  • Easy to accommodate new theatre innovations with software upgrades, reducing operating room downtime.
wTCP

Membrane Panel (wTCP)

Modern, contemporary ‘wipe clean’ operating room control panel offers:

  • Easy-to-clean hard coat polyester membrane overlay promoting infection prevention.
  • PLC can be linked to Building Management System for easy access to the operating room domain.
  • Uses push buttons and indicators as its primary user interface.
  • Choice of analogue or digital time of day clock with digital elapsed time clock.
  • Control of operating lights (main, satellite), general lights and illuminated warning signs.
  • Integration of other manufacturer’s equipment controls, e.g. AGSS, ventilation, IPS and UPS.
  • Two distinct alarms – Standard Alarm and Medical Gas Alarm for faults on medical gases. Alarm Mute feature also available for use during maintenance.
sTCP

Stainless Steel Panel (sTCP)

Traditional ‘stainless steel’ operating room control panel offers:

  • Choice of brushed grain or powder painted stainless steel finish.
  • Screwless fastenings ensure a smooth easy-to-clean fascia surface.
  • Choice of analogue or digital time of day clock with digital elapsed time clock.
  • Access information, such as stored operating manuals, room temperature and humidity measurements.
  • Control of operating lights (main, satellite), general lights and illuminated warning signs.
  • Integration of other manufacturer’s equipment controls, e.g. operating tables, ventilation, audio.
  • Future proofed at design stage, to enable some upgrades with minimal disruption.
hTCP

Hybrid Touch Screen Panel (hTCP)

Modern ‘hybrid’ operating room control panel offers:

  • A combination of a Theatre Control Panel with a PACS Viewing Station with infection control friendly membrane keyboards, X-Ray Viewer or AV Monitor.
  • Examples include:
    • eTCP matched with a PACS Viewing Station.
    • eTCP matched with an AV Monitor.
    • wTCP matched with an X-Ray Viewer (1, 2, 3 or 4 screens).