A robot used in surgery can make a tiny incision, has a steadier grip and more flexibility than some physicians and now the surgery program at Borgess Medical Center has added this advanced equipment and trained its surgical team to work with it.
Through a gift from a small group of anonymous donors, Borgess has added the latest version of a multi-million robotic surgical system. The advanced robotic system requires that the skills of the surgical team be upgraded as well. Everyone involved with the new technology received training in a program at The Ohio State University’s multi-specialty robotics program.
Ohio State doctors were the first in the United States to perform surgery with the new generation of surgical robots, 13 years ago, and now their clinical and administrative staff shares its expertise with other hospitals.
The robots in surgery, steered by the surgeon from a console, can be used in many ways. Just one is in OB-Gyn where it allows surgeons to enter through the belly button, reducing scarring that came with certain procedures in the past, and shortening the length of recovery periods.
One recent surgical success story is that of a 46-year-old woman who was going back to school after years of postponement due to the needs of her family. When it was found she needed surgery she feared another delay. Instead, the procedure by a surgeon and team using the robotic surgical system was performed and with the shorter recovery time she got to school as planned and will graduate on schedule.
"Our new equipment and comprehensive team training are resulting in better patient care," says Debra Thompson, administrative director, Borgess Surgical Services. "We now provide improved and less-invasive surgical treatment choices in an ever-growing range of medical specialty areas."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Debra Thompson, Borgess Surgical Services
Photo: Borgess Robotics Surgery Program professionals include (left to right) Lynn Morrison, RN, Felecia Prewitt, RN, Luke Myers, RN, Jill Neidlinger, RN, and Rene Vega, CSTFA. (Other members include Kelley Blecha, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager, Ben Blades, RNFA, Matt Flora, CST, and Jatinder Singh, ST.
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