Freeman Unveils Upgrades to State-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Room

Freeman Health System hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil upgrades to its state-of-the-art hybrid cardiovascular operating room (CVOR) at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute. As part of the upgrade, new technology gives Freeman cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists maximum flexibility to use the treatments most appropriate for each patient.

“Patients already benefit from Freeman’s hybrid CVOR in that they can have different types of heart procedures without changing locations for imaging or different types of surgery,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “Access to minimally invasive procedures and complex procedures, along with accuracy, are key in successful cardiac outcomes. Freeman’s hybrid CVOR provides all of these elements on a world-class level.”

To continue as the market leader in heart and vascular care, Freeman has installed the Infinix™ Elite from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. As a customizable cardiovascular x-ray imaging system, this best-in-class technology provides Freeman with the flexibility and performance to meet any patient need.

“Information is power when it comes to diagnosis, and the Infinix Elite’s combination of comfort, safety and efficiency allows us to provide the right care solutions to our patients,” said Dr. Raymond Vetsch, Freeman Cardiothoracic Surgeon. “The resolution is higher and more precise, which will enable us to perform procedures usually found at cardiac centers in university hospital settings, such as structural heart repair.”

The Infinix Elite’s C-arm design offers conformity to any patient, allowing for optimal angulations, streamlined positioning and customizable configuration. In addition, ergonomic enhancements improve clinician speed and precision while reducing the potential for strain and injury. The system also includes a full suite of dose management optimization tools to facilitate safer exams for both the patient and the physician.

Having the ability to perform simultaneous imaging studies and interventions in a CVOR eliminates the need to move patients during a procedure and potentially reduces the risk of infection. Patients also benefit through shorter procedure times.

“This set-up enables physicians from different disciplines to merge their expertise in one room for the benefit of the patient,” said Dr. Robert Stauffer, Freeman Cardiologist. “For instance, two teams – the cardiothoracic surgeon’s team and the cardiologist’s team – can work as one to achieve optimal results while improving patient care and efficiency. Additionally, the CVOR will be used by surgeons outside cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, which assists in the scheduling of patients.”

By combining first-rate imaging capabilities within an advanced operating suite, Freeman cardiothoracic surgeons have flexibility in real time to do what’s best for the patient. This innovative environment also provides the potential to revolutionize the way Freeman treats patients by integrating traditional cardiac surgery with endovascular surgery techniques and technology, further bridging the best of today with the latest advances of the future.

Photo: (left to right) Dr. Darwin Jeyaraj, Freeman Cardiologist; Dr. John Nicholas, Freeman Cardiologist; Dr. Robert Stauffer, Freeman Cardiologist; Dr. Raymond Vetsch, Freeman Cardiothoracic Surgeon; Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer; Dr. John Cox, Freeman Cardiologist, Dr. Jamal Rabbi, Freeman Cardiovascular Surgeon; Dr. Ryan Longnecker, Freeman Cardiologist

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. For 2017, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri more than four years in a row, and the Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2016 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.