In the September-October print issue of Surgical Products, our cover story focused on technology and patient care solutions driving Hybrid OR integration. This week, SP will run standalone Q&As from interviews related to our cover story. Today we feature Jonah Post, Senior Product Manager, NDS Surgical Imaging. Here are Post’s responses:
Surgical Products: What do you feel are the greatest advantages of investing in hybrid OR capabilities and equipment? Why?
Jonah Post: A true hybrid suite can perform open, interventional catheterization, endoscopic, robotic cardiac, and vascular procedures as well as all types of neurosurgical procedures. This means that the room can theoretically be used 24/7, enabling a strong ROI and assisting in OR scheduling demands. No longer do ORs need to sit empty as a back-up in case an interventional procedure “goes south” in the cath-lab (stents and femoral artery procedures). Efficiencies of Hybrid ORs also contribute to the ROI aspect of capital expenditure.
Hybrid ORs have higher sterility standards in comparison to cath labs. Also, if an interventional procedure has a problem, the issue can be addressed immediately, since all of the necessary personnel and equipment are present.
SP: Which procedures or areas of patient care do you feel the surgical community should focus on when looking at the hybrid OR? Why?
Post: Hybrid ORs focus on every form of cardiac procedure: open, image guided, endoscopic, and robotic procedures. Whether it be open, trans-femoral, trans-radial, trans brachial, or trans-apical valve work, the room is capable of supporting it, unlike any standard OR. These rooms also enable all forms of vascular procedures: from open AAAs to interventional PAD procedures. Additionally, all forms of neurosurgical procedures from cranial to spinal can be performed in a Hybrid Neuro suite.
SP: Is used/refurbished equipment an option, in your opinion?
Post: No, there may be some surgical lighting and equipment booms that can be adapted; but the design challenges along with the advanced technology required in a hybrid OR do not lend themselves to refurbished equipment.
SP: If cost and logistics were not an issue, what should be the first piece of equipment or technology that is embedded into every OR?
Post: For a hybrid OR there are a number of key pieces of equipment that are critical:
1. Fixed based fluoroscopy and the associated 3D software
2. Video integration providing image routing for all support visualization (from PACS to real time info)
3. HD surgical displays throughout the room. In Hybrid ORs visualization is now needed 360 degrees around the patient to enable all the different types of procedures to be done. This is also needed because visualization is required for all of the assisting personnel to support the various procedures.
SP: What do you feel is the biggest patient trend driving hybrid OR investments?
Post: Investment drivers include minimally invasive procedures, less length of stay, fewer complications, and better outcomes. The development of trans-femoral valve replacement along with endoscopic and robotic CABG procedures all lend themselves to the patient and insurance driven desires. In vascular procedures, Hybrid ORs deliver the same patient benefits without having to open a patient to perform them.
SP: Looking forward, what factor, whether it’s financial, patient-centric or other, do you feel will play the biggest role in shaping hybrid OR development and implementation?
Post: A number of factors come into play here. Better outcomes, shorter length of stay, fewer complications, enhanced patient safety, and reduced health care costs are all very important. Additionally, facilities can make better use of scarce capital equipment funds (ROI), and may achieve better retention and recruitment of the best physicians available. A solid Hybrid OR design accommodates all present procedure types as well as anything that may be developed in the foreseeable future.