Phoebe Putney Health System has recently expanded its surgical robotics program with the purchase of two advanced da Vinci XI systems. One of the robots is already in use at Phoebe’s flagship hospital in Albany, while the other has been installed at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus.
Robotic surgery has been performed at Phoebe Putney Health System for 13 years, and their surgeons have seen remarkable success with this technology. Dr. Jason Langer, a general surgeon at Phoebe, has completed around 600 robotic surgeries since 2016. He believes that robotic surgery offers safer and more efficient care for patients, with better outcomes. The da Vinci system allows for a greater range of motion than the human hand and provides highly-magnified, 3-D, high-definition views of the surgical area.
The benefits of robotic surgery are numerous. It allows for minimally-invasive procedures, resulting in smaller incisions and less blood loss. Robotic surgery also reduces pain, lowers the risk of infection, and promotes quicker recovery times. In the long run, this can decrease the cost of care and improve the quality of care for the patient.
With the expansion of the robotics program, Phoebe Putney Health System aims to increase the number of robotic surgeries performed and provide quicker access to this advanced technology. By offering a multi-specialty robotics program, the system can cater to a wider range of patients’ needs.
In addition to general surgeons, surgical oncologists, gynecologists, and urologists in Albany are using the da Vinci system. At Phoebe Sumter, bariatric surgeons began using the system for weight loss patients in June, thanks to contributions made through the Georgia HEART rural hospital tax credit program. The system has allowed for a single surgeon to safely perform bariatric procedures, expanding the program and serving more patients.
Patients have reported positive experiences with robotic surgery. Dyshika Jackson, a 32-year-old mother of two, underwent robotic bariatric surgery at Phoebe Sumter and noticed benefits within a week. She has already lost 20 pounds and is confident in achieving her weight-loss goal with the help of the surgical robot.
Phoebe Putney Health System showcased the capabilities of the da Vinci robot to community leaders, and students and teachers will also have the opportunity to see the system in action at the Phoebe Simulation & Innovation Center.
Overall, the expansion of Phoebe’s surgical robotics program is a significant development in the field of healthcare. Robotic surgery offers a range of benefits that improve patient care, including reduced complications, quicker recovery, and enhanced surgical precision.
Definitions:
– da Vinci XI system: The da Vinci surgical system is a robotic surgical platform designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. The XI system is the latest and most advanced version of this technology.
– Bariatric surgery: A type of surgery performed on people who have obesity. It aims to achieve weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach or by redirecting the small intestine to a smaller stomach pouch.
Sources:
– Phoebe Putney Health System