From Opening to Optimization: The Work Continues

The dust from the opening has settled, and Erik and Jiska are now enjoying a well-deserved vacation. Over the past months, a relay of teams from Slingeland and CWZ joined forces with the local staff to streamline the logistics of surgical instruments and set up the new operating complex.

Anja and Michiel were the first to get started in September. They emptied most of the containers, organized storage spaces, and assembled surgical sets. Anja collaborated with Zainabu from sterilization to create a workflow for routing the sets, checking their contents, and replenishing materials. Meanwhile, Michiel worked with the anesthesia team on new building processes. Together with the local staff, Alja then focused on setting up the operating rooms, sterilization, and storage in the new facility. She was present on October 22 for the first surgery performed in the new building.

Around the opening, Bart temporarily took over Erik’s clinical duties, while Irma worked closely with the anesthesia team to assemble and inventory new equipment (such as anesthesia machines and monitoring devices) from the containers. It was decided to postpone the implementation of the new monitors to allow everyone to get accustomed to the new workflows. Erik and Irma represented SimbaHealth’s board at the official opening of the new facility by the main sponsor, Pharus. Following the opening, the team unpacked most of the newly arrived container and set up SimbaHealth’s office space.

Edwin and Moniek stepped in to consolidate SimbaHealth’s older supplies, which had been scattered across various storage spaces. They also organized the remaining materials from the new container, uncovering a range of items Moniek could use to replenish sets and replace worn-out materials. During her stay, Alja noticed many hinged instruments needed maintenance. Moniek brought oil and small brushes to demonstrate to the local sterilization team how to make the instruments work smoothly again. Her efforts were met with enthusiasm, and the team immediately adopted the new approach.

Meanwhile, Susan covered both clinical and management tasks for Erik and attended the first meeting of the new OR staff. Naturally, unforeseen challenges arose during the transition to the new building. For example, not all operating rooms have computers for the electronic patient record system, and beds occasionally scrape the walls, causing damage. However, insights from training sessions in a major academic hospital have already inspired solutions to implement in Sengerema.

The team is incredibly grateful and proud of the new facility, taking their responsibility for the building and materials seriously. This commitment is reflected in their stricter adherence to dress codes, a marked improvement from the old facility, and their careful handling of walls and surgical instruments.

The new operating complex is operational. While a lot has been accomplished, much remains to be done. On to the next project!