In April 2007, Cooley Dickinson opened the Kittredge Surgery Center and began a new chapter in patient care. Construction and completion of the North Building, including the Kittredge Surgery Center, was the largest single project Cooley Dickinson had undertaken in its 120-year history and represents the hospital’s commitment to enhance already outstanding medical care and surgical services here in the Pioneer Valley.

In the Kittredge Surgery Center there are six surgical suites, 16 pre-operative rooms and 16 recovery or PACU rooms. The modern, efficient design of the space is a statement to the dedication and effort put forth by the design team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. The result of their collective efforts is a testament to the compassionate, technically sophisticated care each patient receives at the Kittredge Surgery Center.

Each surgical suite is similar to the others. The six spacious suites were designed to accommodate the space requirements of new sophisticated medical technology, the multi-person care team and the patient. The operating rooms include centrally located technology that aid surgeons and staff in providing the best care possible. Equipment booms make handling and positioning surgical equipment easily accessible and effortless. The Central Sterile Processing department (CSP) is directly connected to the surgery center by an elevator, minimizing time and effort to obtain additional tools and instruments. And all video equipment is supplied and supported by a single vendor to ensure ease-of-use and ‘up-time’ for procedures.

Our approach to providing high quality surgical patient care looks to minimize patient stress by:

• providing ample waiting areas and pre-operative spaces that have been constructed for the comfort of patients and their families;
• welcoming the presence of family members just prior to the start of surgery;
• providing consistency in the nursing staff so the same operating room nurse admits and discharges the patient; and
• ensuring that the patients meet members of their surgical teams prior to surgery.

Peri-operative and surgical nursing are critical to Cooley Dickinson’s pursuit of becoming a model for our nation’s community hospitals. With expanded surgical nurse opportunities in modern, spacious facilities, we invite you to take another look at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Click here to learn what awaits you.

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