Following the installation and equipping of the Smart Pods operating theatre, at the end of 2024 at Kanifing General Hospital, it became clear additional infrastructure was required for optimal service delivery. Having staff move frequently between the Pods and the existing maternity ward creates operational inefficiencies, and potential patient safety concerns. It was therefore agreed that supporting infrastructure must be integrated or built nearby while a covered walkway would be erected to connect the Smart Pods recovery room to the hospital’s maternity High Dependency Unit (HDU).
During the first quarter of the year, the project team worked on the design of the additional structure and it was decided, in order to keep the mobile concept of the Smart Pods, a 40ft container would be converted to provide the additional utilities. The conversion was completed in June, the KGH team used July for operational preparation and commenced surgeries in August, operating between 8am and 4pm daily, with 80 surgeries having been conducted by the team with 100% success rate.
The benefits of the container conversion include :-
- No queuing for access with the rest of the hospital departments in the main theatre, removing delay in access to life saving surgery.
- Surgeries start on time because surgeons look forward to working in a space where the tools are ready and the team is efficient.
- Stronger teamwork where everyone knows their role, takes ownership, and feels excited to contribute.
- Lower stress levels as with resources in place, staff no longer feel overwhelmed, rather they have the time and energy to warmly engage with mothers, explaining the process and providing reassurance.
- A positive environment as the cool, well-equipped space itself reduces stress and lifts morale.
It is clear the initiative has not only improved outcomes for mothers and babies, but has also made staff feel truly valued, appreciated, and worth investing in. Reducing delays is critical for maternal survival, and seeing how everything now flows seamlessly is a testament to the power of combining the right infrastructure with a motivated team.
The IPC Unit at the hospital has confirmed that so far no sepsis cases have been recorded as originating from the Smart Pod Theatre.
The Project Team is currently working on the following:-
- Installing connectivity infrastructure in the Smart Pods to connect it to the internet
- BCM faculty staff are validating theatre, IPC and anesthesia standard operating procedures
- Design of staffing models that will be required to extend operating hours of the Smart Pods
- Implementation of data collecting activity to ensure KPI data set by the project is collected and available for evaluation of performance
- Designing skills gap assessment tool to inform future capacity building initiatives
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