Skytron Blog

A surgical boom is a prominent feature of any Operating Room (OR), serving as the focal point where lights and equipment are mounted.

“Surgical booms give nurses a clear view of the sterile field while allowing the surgeon easy access to the patient. Designed to centralize all surgical support equipment and utility services, booms streamline the workflow for OR staff.”

They are vital in minimizing cord clutter, reducing tripping hazards, and creating an organized environment for surgical tools. In this article, we’ll outline four key questions when selecting a surgical boom manufacturer for your new facility or remodeling project.
 

Question 1: Are design and planning support available?

From the time you consider purchasing a boom for your facility to when the purchase order is issued and construction starts, you need the help of expert planners and engineers to help you understand the multiple details. They will help with details like testing boom mounts before installation to ensure there is less than .15 degrees of deflection, no drifting, and much more!

By collaborating with clients from the initial planning stages, you can ensure that boom systems are optimally integrated into the OR layout, maximizing efficiency and functionality.
 

Question 2: Does it have features that make our lives easier?

It can be difficult to decide what boom is best for your facility, but we believe it comes down to what works best for you and your team and what simplifies things for you.

Can most booms on the market get the job done and act functionally? Yes, they can. But can they provide you with the following features that our Skytron Freedom Boom does?

Active Assist

• Grab anywhere and move easily
• No buttons to push and easy to position
• Less maintenance
• Stays where you put it

Five-Stack Mount (design consideration)

• Industry’s greatest number of arms (Five) from one mount
• Position the equipment carrier, multiple displays, and lights anywhere around the patient
• Eliminate rotational conflicts caused by side-by-side mounts
• Reduce costs with only one mounting structure

Monitor Arm Clearance and Reach

• Having the ability to move and rotate monitors quickly and efficiently
• Freedom Boom offers arm lengths up to 115 inches, allowing equipment to be positioned anywhere within a 19-foot diameter (283.5 sq ft) of the mounting structure.

Question 3: Are there multiple configuration options?

Understanding the ideal configuration will depend on the arm reach you need, how the boom is being used, and what specialty the boom is used in.

For example, an ICU may only need a two-arm configuration in a very small room, and it doesn’t need to move very far or around imaging equipment. The same could be true in a GI Lab. You don’t have as much equipment, and the space is smaller than a standard OR’s.

However, a hybrid operating room or a general OR requires much more staff and equipment. You may need up to five arms (three for equipment and two for lights). As mentioned above, Skytron can accommodate a five-stack mount.

Types of Mounts

• Center-aligned mount is exactly as it sounds one mount in the middle with carrier rotation designed to use 50% less space. This space-saving carrier, combined with a four—or Five-Stacked design, provides comprehensive shoulder-to-shoulder coverage.
• 6/12 aligned mount is two separate mounts in the same room

Our dedicated and professional Drawings Department can outfit your team with any configuration needed. Depending on your equipment, our planners and architects can help you create the most conducive design for optimal workflows in your OR.
 

Question 4: What does product support look like after you purchase your boom?

Last, and quite possibly, the most important question to ask after you’ve invested in an expensive capital asset like a Boom is: What will the service, maintenance, and support look like after the purchase?

At Skytron, we have what are called Skytron Assure Service Programs that range from preventative maintenance (PM), to PMs with labor and parts, to comprehensive coverage. All options include:

• Priority technical support 24/7
• Customer care center
• The ability to place service requests online at skytron.com or by contacting your local Skytron service center
• Complete service history of all equipment covered in the program, available anytime
• Compliance with FDA equipment record-keeping and certification regulations for all programs

Bonus Considerations from AORN

From an Outpatient Surgery Magazine article, here are some baseline questions to consider if you’re purchasing a boom:

• 1. Can booms even be installed in my current facility?
• 2. What are your current equipment management needs?
• 3. What are your anticipated future equipment management needs?
• 4. What are your current and future image and equipment management requirements?

We hope as you navigate your options for surgical booms you keep in mind design and planning support, whether or not the features simplify your workflow and elevate safety, what configurations are available, and the support after you purchase.

Resources
1. Surgical Booms and Its Role in the Perioperative Workplace | ERD Medical Equipment Solutions
2. “Thinking of Buying…” | Outpatient Surgery AORN