Situation:
As part of the larger ground-up construction of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham’s new West Suburban Cancer Center, BOND provided preconstruction and construction management services for a 30,000 SF radiation oncology suite. Delivering advanced radiation therapy for cancer patients, the suite houses a 10MV Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator (LINAC). This state-of-the-art LINAC works in conjunction with complementary advanced Brainlab software technologies to pinpoint cancer cells with extreme accuracy, facilitating better, more precise treatments.
Challenges:
- Construction completed in an active, fully operational Hospital building
- Suite located one level-above grade – on the same floor as the Oncology Department – to streamline patient treatment, requiring LINAC vault to be raised 15 feet
- Isolation of LINAC suite from other sensitive Hospital areas
- Coordination of large equipment deliveries to an above-grade location
Solutions:
- Extensive planning to guarantee proper structural support for LINAC equipment and accommodate unique spatial arrangement of a suite typically located at-grade
- Close collaboration with JACA to develop innovative shielding options composed of lead blocks in the ceiling, wall and floor to prevent radiation from escaping into other areas and protect adjacent sensitive clinical areas
- Installation of maze walls to divert laser treatment away from doorways, technicians, and visitors
- Direct communication with LINAC manufacturer, Varian, to plan and sequence equipment deliveries, and ensure proper ventilation & cooling systems and finishes selection to facilitate optimal performance
Results:
- Completed on time and under budget, with a $1 million cost savings resulting from BOND’s careful planning and selection of cost-effective materials
- Streamlined patient treatment by locating the radiation oncology suite on the same floor as the Oncology Department and ten infusion bays
- Contributed to the overall success of the Beth Israel’s new West Suburban Cancer Center