Phase III of the ongoing Level 1 Trauma Center OR Upgrade project included the relocation and expansion of the Oral Surgery Clinic. The previous clinic had undersized spaces and spatial adjacencies that did not facilitate staff/patient circulation; it provided care in the same location on the second floor for several years. New operating room construction on the second floor gave Ben Taub Hospital the opportunity to redesign and relocate the clinic to a new area. This new area provides better functionality and improves the clinic’s relationship with the new operating rooms, improving care and efficiency.

The new clinic is approximately 4,500 square feet and includes 4 treatment rooms with med gases including nitrous, 3 chairs for recovery, X-ray room, Dental Lab with Labconco hood, medication alcove, physician workroom, breakroom, waiting room, and support spaces as required.

The relocation not only improved efficiency and flow within the clinic itself, it also improved workflow with respect to the new operating rooms. Previously patient and staff circulation was challenging due to existing clinic layout and relationship to other emergency services.

The project is part of the overall goal of renovating Ben Taub’s Level 1 Trauma Center Operating Rooms. The project included the addition of seven new operating rooms, including two hybrid rooms and a new Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.