A Good-looking Laser Room

     The laser room itself must be an efficient clinical environment -a place for working surgeons (Figure 5) .It is designed for ergonomic efficiency and, of course, to meet the technical specifications for temperature and humidity control, sterility, airflow, etc. Our laser room is not patient friendly in a "comfy-cozy" way. If anything, we believe that the clinical austerity of the space is comforting to patients who know that they are there for surgery; Orderliness and professionalism in this environment are important. It reassures patients that their care providers are competent and in control.

     The operating room must also look good because it is on public view. A problem in all surgery today is the volume of disposables that have to be discarded. In the course of a busy day, an operating room can generate a small mountain of refuse. In order to maintain a clean and orderly appearance in the laser room, we installed a chute to the trash receptacle on the floor below. By quickly getting rid of the trash after each patient, the room stays tidy.