In 2018, Massachusetts updated its sterile compounding guidelines to align with the latest USP 797/800 regulations to increase the safety of sterile and hazardous drug compounding throughout the state. In response, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center undertook the daunting task of upgrading their existing pharmacies at their main campus in Burlington to meet the new code requirements while remaining 100% operational throughout construction. The pharmacy department seized the opportunity to increase their physical footprint and optimize their workflows to handle the increased volume, improve safety, efficiency, and the overall staff/patient experience. The multi-phased project resulted in a dedicated administration suite and three new ISO 7&8 cleanrooms with state-of-the-art features and safety technology. Work included:

• Main Pharmacy: 6,000 square foot pharmacy space contains the hospital’s primary 1,083 square foot inpatient pharmacy and includes prefabricated cleanroom, offices, storage, and staging areas 
• OR Pharmacy: 500 square foot pharmacy was modified to support the adjacent operating rooms
• Infusion Pharmacy: 1,500 square foot infusion pharmacy was relocated and enlarged to better support the neighboring Hematology/Oncology Department and includes buffer space, medical storage, and room for future expansion

HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems were reconfigured, cleanrooms were installed using a Plascore panelized system, and a new exhaust duct was run from the first floor to a new set of exhaust fans located on the seventh-floor roof. Columbia provided support for budgeting, pre-purchasing, scheduling, and logistics.