This session is designed to help oral and maxillofacial surgeons understand the essential design and regulatory considerations involved in planning, expanding or building a new OMS facility. Beyond aesthetics, the process requires careful navigation of codes, standards and construction decisions that directly affect compliance, patient safety and long-term operational efficiency. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how key regulations-including FGI Guidelines, NFPA, ADA and IBC-apply to outpatient surgery facilities, and how these requirements influence design, cos, and construction timelines. The session also will highlight common pitfalls that practices encounter, from site selection and budgeting to med-gas planning and technology integration, and provide strategies to avoid costly mistakes.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Identify and describe the national codes and standards (FGI, NFPA, ADA, IBC) that apply to the design and construction of OMS facilities.
Assess how design decisions affect patient flow, staff efficiency and the overall functionality of an OMS practice.
Outline the sequence of design phases, what to expect in each phase and evaluate how surgeon decision-making influences schedule and fees.
Identify the roles of architects, engineers, contractors and consultants; compare project delivery methods and determine when each party should be engaged for effective outcomes.
Differentiate specialized OMS design from low-cost generic options and explain why early investment in expertise prevents delays, change orders and compliance failures.
