1. When Premium Modular Operating Room Interiors Become Both a Trend — and a Misunderstood Concept

As the healthcare sector accelerates its digital transformation and modernization of hospital infrastructure, the concept of the “Modular Operating Theatre (Modular OT)” has increasingly emerged as the gold standard for designing and constructing modern operating rooms that meet stringent requirements for hygiene, safety, and operational efficiency.

However, in practice, many suppliers of operating room interiors mislabel their products as “modular.” In reality, these are often locally fabricated panels or frame structures assembled and welded on-site. While such operating rooms may appear “modular” on the surface, they differ significantly in terms of build quality, airtightness, flexibility in maintenance and upgrades, environmental control, and lifespan.

This is precisely why this article was written — to help investors, hospitals, and technical engineers clearly distinguish between a true Modular OT and a non-modular OT, ensuring that cost savings do not come at the expense of quality and long-term performance.

2. What Is a “Modular” Operating Theatre Interior?

A Modular Operating Theatre (Modular OT) interior is a fully integrated system designed, manufactured, and installed by a single qualified manufacturer, in which all components are prefabricated modular units. These include wall, corner, and ceiling panels; flooring; a self-supporting frame structure; recessed lighting systems; automatic OT doors; clean air systems; and built-in cabinets or equipment—all meticulously engineered by biomedical, architectural, and MEP specialists.

Every element is planned according to the surgical workflow, required cleanliness class, and ergonomic height standards suitable for local users. All modules are pre-designed, factory-fabricated, tested, and certified prior to delivery for final on-site assembly at the hospital.

Each module forms part of a sealed and hygienic enclosure, joined together using medical-grade silicone gaskets in matching color with the wall panels. The joints are airtight, antibacterial, and easily detachable, allowing convenient expansion, maintenance, or upgrades without compromising system integrity.

This modular architecture creates a sterile, positive-pressure environment with laminar airflow, effectively minimizing contamination from bacteria, fine dust, and particulates — ensuring a safe and efficient operating space that meets international medical standards.

3. What Is a Non-Modular (or Conventional) Operating Theatre?

In contrast, a Non-Modular or Conventional Operating Theatre refers to a traditionally built or semi-traditional operating room constructed directly on-site using brick walls, cement plaster, and epoxy or vinyl coatings, or by cladding with low-quality panels, such as PU panels typically used for cold storage rooms or industrial workshops.

The ceiling is often made of gypsum board, aluminum, or galvanized steel, which cannot ensure airtightness and tends to generate dust. The lighting, ventilation, and clean air systems are usually installed separately, lacking integration and design synchronization.

Because each component is handled by different contractors, the result is often inconsistent in technical quality and aesthetics, with significant challenges in maintaining cleanliness, dust control, and infection prevention — all of which are critical to the sterile environment required for modern operating theatres.

4. Detailed Comparison Between Modular OT and Non-Modular OT

5. “Fake Modular” – Real Risks Behind Low-cost Solutions

Several suppliers advertise their products as “Modular Operating Room Interiors”, yet in reality, these are improvised, non-certified modular systems. Such setups are often built using PU or industrial sandwich panels originally designed for cold rooms, warehouses, or prefabricated factories. These panels typically have low durability, are prone to scratches and dents, and are welded or fixed on-site with locally fabricated support frames.

Unlike genuine Modular OT systems, these setups lack factory-built modules and rely on permanent, non-detachable joints. As a result, it becomes impossible to remove or access concealed M&E systems behind the walls or ceiling for maintenance without causing damage. Moreover, they often lack system uniformity, with imprecise joints, non-antibacterial coatings, and poor surface finishing.

A key indicator of these “fake modular” systems lies in the rough, site-cut joints between the floor, wall, ceiling, and built-in components. These are typically sealed with conventional silicone, often of mismatched colors, highlighting uneven connections and poor workmanship.

🧩 Example indicators:

• Rough edge cuts done on-site.
• Mismatched silicone joints between wall panels.
• Separate installation of clean air, lighting, and medical gas systems without integration into the module.
• Non-standard wall recesses for built-in equipment, causing visual and functional inconsistency.

Over time, such makeshift systems suffer deformation, corrosion, color fading, and microbial accumulation at the panel joints. They fail to maintain pressure integrity and ISO cleanroom standards, leading to cross-contamination risks.
Furthermore, during system upgrades or maintenance, these non-detachable wall and ceiling structures often require demolition and replacement, resulting in prolonged OR downtime — comparable to conventional construction.

In the end, the initial low price comes at the cost of higher maintenance expenses and serious patient safety risks.

A common mistake also observed in many hospitals and private clinics is the use of gypsum board walls and ceilings coated with epoxy paint. This practice cannot meet ISO cleanroom standards, leading to dust accumulation, mold growth, and high microbial levels in the operating environment — posing significant risks of surgical site infections (SSIs).

6. How to Identify a “True Modular OT”

Investors, consultants, and technical experts should perform the following evaluations to verify whether the offered Operating Theatre Interior Solution is a genuine Modular Operating Theatre (Modular OT):

• Detailed module drawings: Review detailed drawings showing the construction and connection structure between the ceiling, floor, technical framework, and OT doors.
• System integration and source consistency: Verify that OT doors, lighting fixtures, ceiling panels, wall panels, structural frames, silicone gaskets, and all related accessories are supplied and manufactured by a single reputable global manufacturer to ensure full system compatibility.
• Manufacturer credibility: Assess the manufacturer’s reputation, brand history, and published information on its official website.
• Material and certification review: Examine the Material Data Sheet and verify international certifications for antibacterial, fire-retardant, and antistatic properties, as well as ISO 9001, CE, and third-party conformity certificates.
• Sealing system: Ensure that modular joints are sealed using medical-grade silicone gaskets, not welded joints or conventional silicone sealants.
• Integrated ceiling lighting design: Confirm that recessed ceiling lights are designed and integrated to fit seamlessly with the ceiling panel system, ensuring airtightness.
• Ease of maintenance and expansion: Each individual module should be easily detachable and replaceable for maintenance or future system upgrades.
• Factory fabrication accuracy: Corner panels and finishing panels of the OT should be precision-fabricated at the factory according to approved design drawings, not manually cut or joined from standard PU panels on-site.
• Verification through demonstration or reference projects:
• Request the supplier to provide a scaled-down mock-up of the modular OT demonstrating the integration between the vinyl flooring, wall panels, and ceiling modules.
• When possible, visit the manufacturing facility or inspect completed reference projects in Vietnam to assess real-world quality and customer feedback before contract signing.

7. Conclusion: True Modular OT – A Smart, Sustainable, and Safe Investment

A genuine high-end Modular Operating Theatre (Modular OT) is not just a trend — it represents the gold standard of modern hospitals.
Although the initial investment may be higher, it ensures long-term operational efficiency, low maintenance costs, and sustained sterility and performance for over 20 years without degradation. The system guarantees high durability, optimized infection control, and a professional hospital image that meets international standards.

Conversely, opting for a “fake modular” solution merely for cost-saving poses serious risks — as the OT environment is directly linked to patient safety and clinical outcomes. Such installations deteriorate quickly, have poor upgrade potential, and are only suitable for short-term or low-budget facilities.

SAGOMED – Bringing the Gold Standard of Modular OT to Vietnam
Since 2015, through a strategic partnership with HT Group – a global leader in high-end Modular Operating Theatre interiors, SAGOMED has been committed to delivering true Modular OT solutions that ensure safety, aesthetics, and long-term sustainability for Vietnamese hospitals.