With the opening of University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center’s new surgical suites, patients enjoy the comfort and convenience of general and specialized surgical procedures, close to home

20230825 Uhahuja 6367– R 923
Drs. Meagan Costedio and Sandhia Varyani were part of the team that worked with architects to give input for the design of the new University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center surgical facility, configure the bed and equipment layout for best function, and even help pick the colors and furniture.

By Laura Briedis

While most hospitals have advanced medical equipment, often it is the little touches that make for an exceptional patient experience. So, when University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center designed its Phase 2 expansion, the architects brought together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and staff members to perceive the space from all perspectives—and to especially be mindful of patients.

“As part of the expansion, we have increased our operating room capacity at UH Ahuja Medical Center by 80 percent. The addition of eight new surgical suites brings the total number to 18,” says Dr. Meagan Costedio, who, along with Dr. Sandhia Varyani, is co-chair of the division of surgery.

Initially, four operating rooms will open and allow for expanded surgical and endoscopy services, including more orthopedic, general and gynecology services.

Both Drs. Costedio and Varyani were part of the team that worked with architects to give input for the design of the facility, configure the bed and equipment layout for best function, and even help pick the colors and furniture.

“Even though you are in an operating room, we want to make it as pleasant as possible,” says Dr. Varyani, who has worked at University Hospitals for 20 years specializing in OB-GYN and minimally invasive procedures. “It’s not just about the advanced technology and lighting in the room. We also focus on the patient experience, so there are things like TV screens with a picture of a beach and sounds of waves that calm you before you go to sleep.”

She adds, “As part of the renovation, we also have a wonderful waiting area catering to families. There is comfortable seating if you want to relax and computer charging areas if you need to be able to work. Plus, we have a meditation room downstairs. We are a patient- and family-centric facility, whether you are getting a surgical procedure, having a baby or getting a mammogram.”

The expansion design not only focused on patients and their families, but also took into account the staff and being mindful of the workday. There is lot of natural light streaming in the operating room staff lounge, instead of the customary fluorescent lights overhead.

The surgery center’s new Central Sterile Processing area, which cleans, sterilizes and prepares medical instruments, is located in the basement and features decorative glass walls. From an infection prevention standpoint, the walls are not only easy to clean, but also give the team an opportunity to customize its work environment with picturesque landscape images.

By diversifying its surgical footprint in the new 51,000-square-foot Surgery Center, UH Ahuja Medical Center will be able to offer more complex surgeries in the future.

“We have expanded our robotics-assisted surgeries as well,” says Dr. Costedio, who specializes in colorectal surgery.

Overall, UH Ahuja Medical Center’s footprint has almost doubled in size, which includes the addition of a 222,000-square-foot, three-story hospital pavilion addition that houses the Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center, the UH Cutler Center for Men, the UH Breast Center, an emergency department and short-stay unit; along with a 76,000-square-foot sports medicine institute.

Surgery Center Close to Home
The new UH Ahuja Medical Center’s surgical suites can handle many types of operations, so patients don’t need to drive to the downtown campus to get specialized care. In addition to general surgery, there are many specialties here, including:

  • Breast Surgery
  • Cardiac
  • Colorectal
  • Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)
  • Gastroenterology
  • General Surgery
  • Gynecology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Neurosurgery
  • Oral Maxillofacial
  • Orthopedics
  • Podiatry
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Thoracic
  • Urogynecology
  • Urology
  • Vascular

“We are the busiest surgical facility on the east side in the UH network,” says Dr. Meagan Costedio. “We make it convenient for patients as we are close to home and accessible.”

The Surgery Center at UH Ahuja Medical Center is located at 3999 Richmond Road in Beachwood. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org/AhujaExpansion.

Categories: Eastside Health & Wellness