Sometimes a preliminary space estimate is needed to evaluate location alternatives, conduct a feasibility study, or develop a preliminary cost estimate for construction or renovation. Once the number of operating rooms (ORs) is determined, an estimate of the total footprint required for the surgical suite can be made using the rules-of-thumb in this post.
Aside from the economies of scale achieved by larger surgical suites, the largest single factor contributing to the overall size of the surgery suite is the size and specialization of the individual ORs. For example, a surgical suite with specialty operating rooms — all sized at 600 NSF (55.7 NSM) — would require an additional 500 DGSF (46.5 DGSM) per OR over a suite with general operating rooms at 400 NSF (37.2 NSM). In addition to the incremental space for the larger operating rooms, additional storage space is generally required for specialty equipment. Furthermore, the design of a surgical suite requires the use of a large net-to-gross space conversion factor, which further compounds incremental space increases for individual rooms.
The next factor that contributes to the overall DGSF (DGSM) per OR is the proportion of outpatients and the type of patient care spaces to be provided in the prep and Phase II recovery areas. A higher percentage of outpatients treated in the surgical suite increases the number of prep and Phase II recovery spaces, which, in turn, increases the overall DGSF (DGSM) per OR. The use of larger private rooms for presurgery preparation and outpatient Phase II recovery also requires more space.
| Type of Surgery Suite | Estimated DGSF (DGSM) Per Operating Room |
|---|---|
| Outpatient Surgery Suite | 2,500 to 3,500 (232.3 to 325.2) |
| Hospital-Based Surgery Suite: | |
| Less than 35% Outpatients | 2,800 to 3,000 (260.1 to 278.7) |
| About 50% Outpatients | 3,000 to 3,500 (278.7 to 325.2) |
| More than 65% Outpatients | 3,200 to 3,500 (297.3 to 325.2) |
Note: Department gross square feet/meters (DGSF/DGSM) represents the footprint of a department or functional component and includes the net area of the individual rooms as well as the space occupied by internal circulation corridors, walls/partitions, and minor utility shafts. More detailed information can be found in the SpaceMed Guide.
See related post: How Many ORs? It’s Complicated.
This article is an update of a previous post.