The region's best lab for skeletal X-rays
The radiology services at Funäsdalen Health Centre have been operating for many years, providing residents and tourists in nearby villages and ski resorts with the opportunity for close and prompt care. The previous radiology facility was too small, which posed accessibility challenges for handling bedridden patients, and the radiographic equipment was outdated. A new radiology facility was procured, and MedicSolution was tasked with delivery.
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There was a need to upgrade both the facility and equipment. Therefore, the region conducted a procurement process in 2022. The facility and equipment were procured as a turnkey project with high demands on the working environment and medical technology equipment. MedicSolution won the procurement by offering a prefabricated X-ray module.
"We chose to procure a turnkey contractor because it's simple to have only one party to communicate with. Thanks to that, we only needed to conduct one procurement, and we in the region don't need to act as an intermediary between different suppliers. The risks of misunderstandings decrease, and we saved a lot of time for both ourselves and the entire project. The collaboration with MedicSolution worked very well," says Tord Olofsson, Radiology Engineer at Region Jämtland Härjedalen.
MedicSolution developed customised facilities that solved the operational challenges for at least five years with the possibility of relocating the building to a new Health Centre in the region. The facility and equipment were procured by MedicSolution based on the region's requirements and were inaugurated before the 2022 ski season.
"When undertaking a complex construction project like this as a turnkey contractor, it is crucial to have established collaborations with good suppliers for both building materials, equipment, and furnishings. A radiology facility of this size requires a very specific design and carefully selected materials," says Kenneth Helgesson, Head of T&D and projects.
When MedicSolution develops its prefabricated modules, they are designed to last for at least 50 years with the same requirements as site-built healthcare buildings. Because the prefabricated building was made for radiology services, two millimeters of lead was required in the walls to provide adequate X-ray protection. The building and structure are designed according to snow zone 3.5.
Additionally, there are clear requirements for noise levels in radiology. Together with Ecophon, the choice of materials for sound-absorbing suspended ceilings was planned, compatible with the modular construction and meeting the technical requirements.
A reverberation time of <0.6 seconds was the minimum requirement according to the current standard (SS 25268:2007+T1:2017), and with the help of sound-absorbing materials that reduce sound reflections, noise levels are lowered, sound propagation is shortened, and the reverberation time requirement is met. This reduces unwanted noise that can be stressful for both patients with bone fractures and staff performing concentration-demanding tasks. The X-ray module results in a twofold benefit with a calmer environment for patients and, on the other hand, a more supportive workplace that takes into account how we are biologically designed to respond to sound.
Thanks to extensive experience from Ecophon and the solutions we chose, the result was very good and easily meets the requirements.
The materials used in a building naturally affect the sound. It is often possible to choose materials that meet hospital hygiene requirements while also having high-quality sound-absorbing properties. It is a good idea to focus on creating pleasant sound environments early in the project planning process since healthcare facilities should be designed to dampen noise from the building's installations, adjacent spaces, as well as external noise. This should be done to the extent required by the intended use, ensuring that those in the premises are not bothered by the noise and that the required confidentiality protection is maintained, according to SS 25268.
"Thanks to extensive experience from Ecophon and the solutions we chose, the result was very good and easily meets the requirements. This has contributed to us being able to deliver a really good product that we are very proud of," says Kenneth Helgesson.
Production started in the summer of 2022, and by the ski season, the radiology facility was in place and ready for use. To meet such a tight schedule, prefabricating the building while groundwork is being done is necessary. For MedicSolution, the total implementation time was 17 weeks, including project planning and about four weeks of work on the construction site for assembly, testing, and training on the X-ray equipment. This ensured that ski tourists coming to the resorts in the area could feel the assurance of having nearby care if an accident were to occur.
A functional and user-friendly radiology facility with good acoustics results in an attractive workplace where people are the focus.
"It's great that we quickly got a new functional and modern radiology facility so we didn't have to rely on transportation to other units. We want to be able to diagnose our patients on-site to quickly provide the right care," says Tord Olofsson.
"A functional and user-friendly radiology facility with good acoustics results in an attractive workplace where people are the focus. Exactly what all parties involved want," concludes Maria Quinn, Global Concept Developer for Healthcare Environments at Ecophon.