Articles

The Operating Room of the Future is Now Being Used ...At Boca Raton Regional Hospital
March 30, 2011

New “Hybrid OR” Provides Significant Advantages Over Conventional Operating Rooms

BOCA RATON, FL (March 30, 2011) – Cardiac and vascular surgeons at Boca Raton Regional Hospital are now performing cases in the most advanced and sophisticated operating room environment available---the Hybrid OR. Working in conjunction with Siemens Healthcare, Boca Regional has combined state-of-the-art imaging, endovascular and surgical techniques, all in one operating room.

In the more conventional hospital setting, these elements are usually dispersed throughout the institution. For example, imaging studies-- pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative--- are done in various locations in Radiology. With a Hybrid OR, high-quality angiographic imaging can be performed in a single setting at any time before, during and after the procedure.

Having these capabilities available in the OR provides both the patient and the surgical team with distinct and substantial benefits. The patient no longer needs a separate angiographic study before an endovascular or surgical procedure. Anesthesia time is reduced. Total procedural time is lessened, which reduces the recovery period, the risk for complications and surgical team fatigue.

“Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive cardiac and endovascular surgeries,” said James Morris, MD and Medical Director at Boca Regional‟s Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute. “With the advent of our Hybrid OR, we now have intraoperative capabilities that vastly enhance our effectiveness and efficiency in such complex procedures as branched endografts for aneurysms and our upcoming program for percutaneous valve repair.”

The Hybrid OR also provides advantage in the care of life-threatening emergencies such as an aortic dissection, a tear in the aorta. “With intravascular ultrasound and imaging available in the room we can operate immediately upon diagnosis, and design and implement the most effective treatment,” said W. Anthony Lee MD, Director of the Endovascular Program and Aortic Center at the Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute.

The Hybrid OR also enhances the use of hospital resources and staff. “There is no question that having this amalgam of capabilities within the operating room makes us perform more efficiently,” said Jerry Fedele, President and CEO at Boca Regional. “It‟s better for our patients, it‟s better for the surgical team and Imaging Department and it helps us provide the most sophisticated level of care at a lower cost.”

“Simply put, the Hybrid OR is now the gold standard for cardiac and endovascular surgery,” concluded Dr. Morris. “It is a marvelous application of technology that makes us better at what we do and most importantly, improves patient outcomes. As the saying goes, „this is definitely not your father‟s OR.‟”

Medicine. Redefined.

Born out of community need in 1967, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is an advanced tertiary medical center (www.brrh.com) with 400 beds and more than 800 primary and specialty physicians on staff. The Hospital is a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease and surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, women‟s health and emergency medicine, all of which offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging capabilities. The Hospital is a Joint Commission Designated Primary Stroke Center.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital is the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades, a leading independent healthcare ratings organization. This marks the seventh year in a row that the Hospital has received this national recognition. Other 2011 HealthGrades rankings include: #1 in Florida for overall cardiac services and cardiac surgery, #1 in Florida for treatment of stroke, #2 in Florida for gastrointestinal services, and #3 in Florida for gastrointestinal medical treatment. This is the second consecutive year that the Institution is ranked number one in the state of Florida for cardiac surgery. The Hospital is also the recipient the 2010/2011 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award and the 2010 HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Excellence Award.