Meet the teams that helped bring 48X to life

The opening of the 48X Complex represents years of careful planning, coordination, and commitment across the organization. While the operating rooms, which opened on July 1, 2025, are visible symbols of that effort, their success depends on a network of teams whose work happens largely out of sight but never out of impact. These are the groups that prepare the environment, ensure the reliability of equipment and systems, ready supplies and instruments, and sustain safe, efficient patient care every day.

This article highlights a group of units whose roles are deeply embedded in the daily functioning of the operating, procedure and interventional radiology rooms. Their involvement spanned the full arc of activation from early planning through opening and ongoing operations. These teams were invited to share their perspectives about the behind-the-scenes work that makes high-quality care possible.

Through their reflections, we glimpse the complexity, persistence, and pride that fueled the journey from plans on paper to patients in rooms.

Environmental Services (EVS)

Responses by: Julianna Moore, Project Manager, EVS

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? EVS ensures 48X is clean and sterile on a daily basis. EVS terminally cleans the spaces every evening, maintains floor care cleanliness and overall aesthetics, and makes sure providers have the waste streams needed to provide adequate care. Our team also supports procedure rooms with in-between case cleaning and daily cleanliness requirements to keep patients and staff safe.

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? The journey is always extremely rewarding to see all the hard work and time you put into the planning of a successful opening come to life. There are always road bumps when opening a new facility. However, seeing all the department leaders rally together at meetings, support one another and give one another grace is a great feeling. Everyone really comes together with a common goal, and we make it happen as a team.

Clinical Engineering (CE)

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? CE oversees commissioning, maintenance and repair of medical equipment and devices, helping ensure safe, reliable and compliant patient care environments. CE’s goal has always been to strive to make end-users’ (clinicians and patients) use of medical devices and technologies as smooth as possible. We want our presence to be unnoticeable and transparent.

48X is a true celebration of cross-disciplinary collaboration where the whole far exceeded the sum of the parts."—Clinical Engineering

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? We attribute this success to the close collaboration and mutual patience and understanding from countless other departments. 48X is a true celebration of cross-disciplinary collaboration where the whole far exceeded the sum of the parts.

In the end, there were countless pieces of new medical devices activated, ranging from sophisticated biplane imaging systems to small handhelds, plus a good number of existing devices that were reconfigured and moved carefully to 48X. Many times, the complexity and magnitude of all the tasks seemed insurmountable by the go-live date. Yet everyone worked diligently and creatively to overcome many unforeseen obstacles.  

Sterile Processing Department (SPD)

Responses by: Waldo Livingston, Assistant Manager, Central Processing, and Instrument Resource Supervisor

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? Our department provides and processes all sterile surgical instruments for the 48X OR. The 48X SPD also services all of our outlying clinics in the Sacramento region.

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? It was a long and tedious process that involved many stakeholders. It was a pleasure to work with a team that was very engaged with the success of the project.  

Preop/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)/Extended Recovery Unit (ERU)

Responses by: Teri Nguyen, Staff Developer, Preop & PACU (Pavilion, CSC, UTSES, SDSC and 48X)

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? Preop, PACU and ERU are care units that prepare patients for surgery and facilitate their recovery toward safe discharge. Preop/PACU, operating rooms and procedure rooms each have unique workflows, priorities, challenges and distinct needs. While needs may differ, we all share the same goal, and that is to provide the safest and highest-quality care, ensuring patients transition seamlessly through each stage of their surgical or procedural journey.

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? Looking back, this has been an eye-opening and humbling experience. The scale of this project demonstrated the incredible resilience, professionalism and cooperation of each workgroup. The 48X activation was one of those authentic experiences that involved vision, dedication and a belief in excellence. It is an honor to have been a part of the team that has built and implemented one of the country’s largest outpatient surgical centers, from the very first planning meetings to opening day and beyond.

Plant Operations & Maintenance (PO&M)

Responses by: David Pepsny, Director, Plant Operations & Maintenance

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? Our PO&M team plays a critical role supporting the 48X operating and procedure rooms by partnering closely with clinical staff to ensure safe, efficient and uninterrupted patient care. We’re responsible for a wide range of activities, including maintenance and repairs, as well as the reliable operation of power, lighting, water, fire alarm systems, mechanical systems, medical gases, signage and other infrastructure.

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? Over the past several years, PO&M has taken a more intentionally engaged approach to project planning. We’ve partnered closely with our friends at Facilities Planning & Development from the very beginning to keep patient care at the center of every decision. Even seemingly minor details—like material selection or installation methods—can significantly impact a building’s long-term operational sustainability. From design through to licensing, our team linked arms with all involved to ensure 48X was built to the highest standards so it can serve patients and staff effectively for years to come.

Our team linked arms with all involved to ensure 48X was built to the highest standards so it can serve patients and staff effectively for years to come."—Plant Operations & Maintenance

Supply Chain Management

Responses by: Rebekah Garcia, Materials Management HC Manager, Supply Chain 

How does your department support the 48X operating and procedure rooms? Supply Chain Clinical Inventory plays a critical role in supporting 48X by ensuring timely, efficient and accurate inventory management. Our team works diligently to maintain optimal stock levels, eliminate inefficiencies and uphold high standards of quality. Through collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, we aim to transform supply chain practices into a key asset that enables clinical teams to focus on patient care.

What was the journey like from planning to successful open? Leading the journey from initial planning to opening required navigating complex challenges, guiding cross-functional collaboration and making strategic decisions, ultimately resulting in a rewarding experience and a successful launch we’re proud of. We focused on developing a sustainable inventory framework for both perpetual and Periodic Automatic Replenishment (PAR) locations, one that could support immediate operations while scaling with future growth. Our team remained solution-focused and agile throughout the process, which was instrumental in the successful launch of 48X.