PARTNERSHIP AND PRECISION MATTER IN CRITICAL HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS

When Premier Surgical Center of the Carolinas sought a mechanical contractor for their new eye institute in South Carolina, they found a reliable partner with McKenney’s. This state-of-the-art surgical facility required precise environmental controls to meet stringent healthcare standards, presenting complex technical challenges that demanded exceptional expertise, persistence, and innovative problem-solving approaches.

The eye surgery center presented unique technical challenges that McKenney’s team expertly solved. The facility required precise environmental control in operating rooms: humidity between 20-60%, consistent temperature, and positive air pressure. Any humidity above 60% would make operating rooms unusable, risking sterile conditions and regulatory compliance. Maintaining these exact specifications was critical to ensure patient safety in these sensitive surgical environments.

The project timeline presented coordination challenges when equipment delivery schedules needed to align with construction phases. With custom air handlers requiring long lead times and ceiling grid installations already in progress, McKenney’s faced the challenge of adapting installation methods to work within an almost-finished space.

The facility featured specialized air handlers with unique configurations, including individual units serving single rooms. This created challenges with short cycling and coordination between humidity and temperature controls. With customized equipment featuring variable-speed compressors, the system demanded sophisticated engineering expertise to optimize performance.

Rising to meet these challenges, McKenney’s implemented effective solutions that demonstrated their technical expertise. When pressure issues emerged, McKenney’s implemented sophisticated adjustments to the air handlers serving operating rooms. By intelligently managing the economizer function, the team prevented uncontrolled outside air intake and resolved critical pressure control problems that threatened regulatory compliance.

McKenney’s commitment to client success stood out throughout the project. Their highly responsive service earned appreciation from the client, who specifically noted McKenney’s prompt response to urgent situations. This dedication to client relationships proved essential when seasonal changes brought new humidity control challenges.

The McKenney’s team initiated detailed documentation of system performance, drafted technical communications to coordinate stakeholder efforts, and mobilized their internal engineering resources to develop sophisticated solutions for the complex humidity and temperature control challenges.

As Premier Surgical Center prepares to expand with four additional facilities in the area, including specialized plastic surgery centers, McKenney’s has demonstrated their ability to navigate complex healthcare requirements with excellence. Their successful handling of this technically demanding project reinforces McKenney’s reputation as the partner of choice for critical healthcare environments where precision and reliability cannot be compromised.

Challenges:

• Maintained precise environmental parameters in operating rooms for sterile conditions and regulatory compliance
• Coordinated complex timelines and long lead times for equipment while construction and other installations were already in progress
• Configured specialized air handlers with dedicated units per room to precisely control temperature and humidity

Solutions:

• Implemented sophisticated adjustments to the operating rooms, managing the economizer function to prevent uncontrolled air intake
• Promptly responded to urgent situations, especially with seasonal humidity control challenges
• Initiated detailed documentation of system performance, coordinated stakeholder communications, and mobilized internal engineering resources to address complex challenges

Results:

• Successfully resolved critical pressure control problems that risk regulatory compliance to meet stringent healthcare standards
• Established McKenney’s as the client’s trusted partner, receiving specific appreciation for prompt and effective response to technical issues
• Positioned McKenney’s as the partner for Premier Surgical Center’s planned expansion to four additional facilities, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex healthcare requirements with excellence