How 65 patients were transferred during ongoing surgery

by time news

The new hospital is being occupied.⁢ Reviews‍ of a huge logistics project where nothing was allowed to‌ go wrong.

A very complex logistical operation had begun a few‍ minutes earlier: the children’s hospital was moving from its old location in Hottingen to its‍ new building and the operations⁤ continued. This is only⁣ ten minutes ⁣away from town towards Zollikon, ​in the Lengg hospital area, but the journey⁤ is tough: 65 sick children are also being transferred that day.

These ⁤are⁤ all that must remain⁤ completely in treatment ‌- move or ⁤not. Some‍ are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.⁣ They ⁤are connected to ⁣monitors, they are intubated, they have⁢ IVs ⁣and they are ventilated. All devices must ​remain operational and continuously monitored during ⁤transport. That is why qualified personnel must be present in the ambulance vehicles. And ⁤if possible, a⁢ parent too, for peace of mind.

The children’s behavior ⁣is ‌the culmination ​of a massive 53-day project that took two years ⁢to prepare. Half of the⁢ hospital’s approximately 3,000 employees practiced the⁢ procedures in the⁣ new building in the months before to be⁣ ready for​ that day.​ 10,000 boxes and objects ​have changed locations – so⁤ much content

And ​now on ‌the patient behavior.

<img alt="Medical ‌staff pick up a‍ young patient in the​ old ⁤hospital." data-nzz-tid="article-image" ‍width="6000" height="4000" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" loading="lazy" srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1120w,⁤ https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 2240w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 ⁢976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1952w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=736&height=491&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 736w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=1472&height=981&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0⁣ 1472w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=375&height=250&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 375w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/d717ed5b-e082-45c1-aeab-5bfbe863d5eb.jpeg?width=750&height=500&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 750w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1120px,‍ (min-width: 1024px) 976px, (min-width:​ 768px) ‌736px" class="image-placeholder__image" style="cursor

Medical staff pick up⁢ a young patient in the⁣ old hospital.

Gaëtan Bally​ / Keystone

<img alt="Employees of a moving company load hatcheries into⁤ a truck." data-nzz-tid="article-image" width="6000" height="4000"⁣ src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" loading="lazy" ⁤srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1120w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 2240w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1952w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=736&height=491&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 736w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=1472&height=981&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1472w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=375&height=250&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 375w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/f5218bc9-c8a1-4169-a45a-7102be6a1383.jpeg?width=750&height=500&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0‌ 750w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1120px, (min-width:

Employees ‍of ⁣a moving company load hatcheries into a truck.

Gaëtan ⁢Bally / Keystone

Five-year-old Luca⁣ (name changed) woke‌ up ⁢this morning ​in Hottingen in his four-bed room with a stained⁢ floor and worn-out furniture. It is cramped there and⁣ there is only‌ an uncomfortable ⁢folding bed for the parents. Luca had a ⁣restful night. He has​ a lung problem and has⁢ a drain in ‌his​ upper body to allow the fluid to escape.⁢ But he kept coughing – his mother barely⁤ closed‌ her eyes. That’s what nursing⁢ director Bettina Kuster says after visiting him.

In order to alleviate Luca’s⁣ anxiety about the transfer, ⁢the⁤ hospital⁤ staff prepared it for him: ​​the trip in the “medical car”‍ would be ​an adventure,​ and his​ mother⁣ would accompany him. Eventually they ‌got ​him​ to⁣ the point‌ he was ⁤looking forward to. But now the transport is delayed. New babies have been ‌admitted to ⁤the emergency room​ during the night and need to be transferred first.

<img alt="No more operations: ‍at 8 ​o'clock sharp, the⁣ signs to the old emergency station are covered over." ⁣data-nzz-tid="article-image" width="4128" height="2752" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" loading="lazy" srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/7f1bce97-585e-400a-b2fb-5b4af31d7e0c.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0‍ 1120w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/7f1bce97-585e-400a-b2fb-5b4af31d7e0c.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0 2240w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/7f1bce97-585e-400a-b2fb-5b4af31d7e0c.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0 976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/7f1bce97-585e-400a-b2fb-5b4af31d7e0c.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128

No more operations:⁢ at⁣ 8 o’clock sharp, the signs ⁢to the old emergency station are covered over.

<img⁤ alt="The vehicles are ‌ready ⁤until the⁢ young patients can be invited." data-nzz-tid="article-image" width="4128" height="2752" ‍src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" loading="lazy" srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/a795ed66-36cb-4700-9bae-c21660626ac4.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0 1120w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/a795ed66-36cb-4700-9bae-c21660626ac4.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0 2240w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/a795ed66-36cb-4700-9bae-c21660626ac4.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,x0,y0 976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/a795ed66-36cb-4700-9bae-c21660626ac4.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4128,2752,

The vehicles are ready until the young patients ​can ‌be invited.

The move​ was simulated in advance with puppets

The‍ meticulous planning of the move is flexible enough‍ to accommodate such contingencies. It has to be her. Because until recently⁣ it‌ was⁣ not possible to know exactly how many​ children with problems would have to be transferred to the new building.

Everything else was practiced step by step, partly ⁣with a simulation ⁣doll. If only it had been discovered on Saturday morning that the labyrinthine corridors of the old⁤ hospital were too narrow⁤ for the transport couch and all the equipment, ⁣the whole operation⁣ would‍ have come⁢ to ‍a standstill. The reaction to a ⁤critical deterioration of a patient’s⁣ health while driving must ‌also be ​well coordinated. Fault tolerance: zero.

Twenty-five ambulances from eleven emergency services from three ‍cantons are driving back and forth non-stop ​that day. That ​alone would be a logistical​ challenge.​ What makes matters worse is the lack of ‌space in the narrow neighborhood⁤ streets around the old⁤ hospital.

The​ ambulances have to share⁤ this with the company’s moving trucks,​ which collect laptops, office supplies and infusion pumps – all⁣ the material⁣ needed for the⁢ treatment⁤ of the patients until the end. And ‌then a mother drives up with a‍ bleeding baby in the ⁣back⁣ seat, who didn’t realize the old emergency room ⁢was ⁢closed ⁢at 8 o’clock sharp. She will not be ‌the‌ last one that day.

Meanwhile, workers are dismantling the illuminated yellow letters above the main entrance, the symbol of the ​old children’s hospital. These are now being auctioned. Long-time hospital employees who look at the ​scene feel‍ melancholy. ​After⁣ more than 150 years, an era is coming ⁢to an end.

For⁤ many, however, the new hospital in ⁣Lengg,​ designed ⁣by ​star ⁣architects Herzog &⁤ de Meuron,⁤ is ‍more⁤ joy than joy. It is ⁣more spacious, ⁣friendlier, more practical. Lots of wood, lots of green, lots of light.

The illuminated‌ letters above ⁤the old main entrance were removed on the morning of the parade.

<img ‌alt="The children's ⁣hospital departs from the‍ residential area on ⁤Zürichberg." data-nzz-tid="article-image" width="4128" height="2751" ⁣src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="‍ loading="lazy" srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 1120w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 2240w, ‌https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 1952w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=736&height=491&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 736w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=1472&height=981&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 1472w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=375&height=250&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=4127,2751,x0,y0 375w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/11/02/01336c21-6440-47f0-ba04-5e7f11114105.jpeg?width=750&height=500

The ‌children’s hospital departs from the⁣ residential area on Zürichberg.

The new building drove the hospital to ruin

The path to the new children’s hospital was marked ‍by‍ obstacles, ​arguments⁤ and financial problems. These go back almost forty⁢ years. The first plans for⁣ a new​ building began in ⁤1986, at the time on⁢ the old site.‍ The ‌reason⁢ was the same‍ today: lack of space. However, a full nine years passed before the cantonal government approved the⁤ entire plan. Then​ the‍ canton and the city ⁢of Zurich went against the building ⁢and ⁢zoning regulations, and appeals also blocked the‍ project.

In June 2000‍ the planning ⁤was‍ stopped. ​Both the⁤ city ⁢and‍ the canton concluded that the current‍ site ⁢was not suitable for a⁣ new ⁢building. Instead, the Lengg ⁤came into focus.

It was finally possible to complete a building project there – but this brought the hospital to the brink ‌of ruin. There⁢ were ⁤several delays ‌and ultimately a ‍huge cost overrun. It was originally thought ‍that the new building would⁣ cost ‌500 million⁢ francs, ⁣but in the‌ end it was 761 million. Although⁢ the⁤ privately sponsored foundation ⁤managed to raise around⁢ 100​ million francs ‌in donations, ‌the canton ​had to ​save the hospital in April of this year.

The consensus: There could be no more delay now. Lack of space in the old hospital was very necessary. Parents had complained‍ about the precarious conditions on social networks. Children were treated in the ‌halls. ⁤The hospital management put ​things into perspective, but the resources were fully utilized ⁢and a move to‍ the ‌new⁢ building ⁢was urgently needed.

On Saturday ⁤morning around‌ 8 am the time had come and the first ambulance arrived‍ in‌ Lengg. An excited ⁤crowd immediately gathers: parents, hospital staff, and later clowns‍ with ‍soap bubbles. The happy⁤ faces show that ‌everything went well.

When a patient arrives‍ at the new children’s hospital in Lengg, a good atmosphere⁢ spreads.

Ambulances from eleven rescue organizations from three cantons ⁢are helping.

The​ light‌ goes on early in the first patient room on the top​ floor.⁢ A child in a hospital shirt sits with a bald head down‌ directly at​ the large window. He looks ⁤down⁣ on the street and waves.

About three hours later, 5-year-old Luca moves into his new quarters⁢ a few ⁣windows away

Towards evening, the children’s ‌hospital reports:⁢ the transfer is complete, all patients⁢ have arrived. This marks the beginning ‍of a new era. And in front of a now abandoned​ building‌ in Hottingen, one can light a cigarette and say: “I love it⁣ when a plan ‍works!”

<img alt="Lots of wood, lots of green, lots of light: a look at⁢ the new building by​ Herzog & ⁣de Meuron." data-nzz-tid="article-image" width="6000" height="4000"‍ src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" loading="lazy" srcset="https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=1120&height=747&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1120w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=2240&height=1493&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 2240w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=976&height=651&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 976w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=1952&height=1301&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1952w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=736&height=491&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 736w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=1472&height=981&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 1472w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b972-d70d6dfb80b5.jpeg?width=375&height=250&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=6000,4000,x0,y0 375w, https://img.nzz.ch/2024/10/31/8da01ba9-e420-43ac-b9

Lots of wood, lots of⁤ green, lots of⁣ light: a look at the new building by⁣ Herzog⁢ & ‌de Meuron.

Ennio Leanza ​/ Keystone

It looks like‌ you’ve shared⁣ a detailed excerpt about the new children’s hospital in Zürich, outlining its history, the challenges faced during its construction,‍ and the eventual transfer of‌ patients ⁤to the‌ new facility. Here are‍ some key points‌ summarized from the text:

  1. History and Planning: The plans for the new children’s hospital ⁤began as early as 1986 ​due to a lack ‌of space at the old site. However, it took‍ nine years for the cantonal government to approve the project, which faced various legal and regulatory challenges.
  1. Location Shift: Initially planned for the old ⁣site, planning​ was halted in⁤ June 2000. The focus then shifted to the Lengg ‍area for ‍the new​ building.
  1. Financial Challenges: ​The project faced severe delays ⁢and budget overruns. The initial ​estimated cost of 500 million francs ballooned to 761 ⁤million francs by completion.⁣ Despite significant fundraising, the canton had to ‍intervene‍ financially in⁤ April of this year to save the hospital.
  1. Urgency for New Building: ⁣The urgent need for‌ a ‍new facility was underscored by complaints from parents⁤ about the⁣ inadequate conditions in the old hospital, ​where children were treated in hallways.
  1. Opening Day: ⁣On the morning​ of the opening, excitement⁢ filled the air ‍with the arrival of the first ambulance, marking a significant milestone‌ for⁢ the hospital, staff,⁤ and families.
  1. Successful Transfer: ‌The transfer of patients was completed smoothly, marking ⁤the start ​of a ​new‍ era for ⁤the children’s hospital.
  1. Architecture: The new hospital was designed by⁣ Herzog & de Meuron, prioritizing light,⁤ green spaces, ⁤and⁢ wood in ⁤its construction.

The narrative paints a picture of the resilience and determination‍ involved in⁣ transitioning‍ to a ⁣new⁣ health facility for‍ children, highlighting both‌ the challenges and the‌ eventual triumph‍ in achieving the​ goal.

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