Newswise — The innovative spirit of the cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology teams in The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital have come together again to bring technology first developed in its Hybrid Catheterization Suites to a state-of-the-art operating suite " the first Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite in the U.S.
This operating suite is designed specifically around the cardiac surgeon and cardiac surgical patient, offering new advanced access and imaging in an operating room environment. The suite accommodates the collective catheterization and surgery team, and facilitates rapid information sharing with new technology from TOSHIBA Medical Systems and Maquet Surgical Workplaces.
The Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite features:*More than 900 square feet of working space to accommodate the team involved in a hybrid case (surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, echocardiographers, cardiac anesthesiologists, advanced level nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, cath/O.R. nurses, technicians and perfusionists).
*A surgical theater with a fixed base surgical table, modutec booms and surgical lighting from Maquet Surgical Workplaces, allowing for more precise and consistent imaging, as well as greater flexibility without taking up critical floor space.
*Flat Panel Detectors (FPD) from TOSHIBA America Medical Systems for a better quality picture which facilitates more accurate assessment and diagnosis.
*Technical capabilities that allow staff members the ability to transmit information anywhere in the suite, at remote sites within the hospital, or even to countries around the world, enabling Nationwide Children's Heart Center faculty to consult with physicians in distant countries and to serve as a teaching hospital.
*Nine interconnected, flat panel, high-resolution display screens for superior visualization and better information exchange among the team members; at least two monitors are visible to all team members at any time, from any location.
*A non-sterile control/observation room to serve as an educational and training resource for students, staff and faculty.
The Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite can accommodate any cardiac surgical case, catheterization or collaborative hybrid procedure. Cardiothoracic surgeons and interventional cardiologists working together in this suite will reduce the amount of time required to correct a heart problem and the amount of emotional and physical stress placed on a patient or their family " which translates into less pain, less scarring and a faster recovery time for patients.
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Heart Center was established in 2002 when all Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery services were consolidated into a comprehensive "one-stop" model of patient/family convenience and excellence in patient care, education and research. The Heart Center opened the nation's first Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suites in 2004 in an innovative new approach to cardiac care, whereby the benefits of cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology were combined in two suites to help critically ill children and adults with congenital heart disease achieve improved therapeutic outcomes. These facilities harness state-of-the-art technology that allows surgeons and interventionalists to collaboratively perform a wide range of innovative hybrid procedures. In 2005, the existing imaging equipment in these suites was replaced by the world's first 5 Axis Biplane Positioner with Flat Panel Detector (FPD) imaging, permitting surgeons and interventionalists to view images more clearly, as well as to improve access to patients. The Heart Center opened its 100-seat Telemedicine Center in 2004, facilitating transmission of any image from inside the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suites and the Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite to provide educational opportunities toward advancement of congenital heart disease treatment strategies.
The new Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite and the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suites deviate from traditional cardiac care delivery by allowing surgical and interventional catheterization procedures to be performed by a single interdisciplinary team in one setting. This approach supports enhanced patient outcomes through shorter and safer procedures that require less recovery time and rehabilitation. The expansive suites accommodate the collective catheterization and surgical teams, and facilitate rapid information.
Congenital heart defects are present in about one percent of live births. While most often scientists are unsure of how a patient contracted a specific defect, advancements in pediatric cardiac care -- such as the hybrid procedures performed at Nationwide Children's Hospital Heart Center -- are changing treatment options to help children live healthy, normal lives.
The first procedure performed in the Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite occurred in November 2007 and the first procedure in the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suites took place in May 2004. Both procedures were conducted to treat Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
Photographs of the Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite are available at www.NationwideChildrens.org; click on News Room. Additional information about the Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite and The Heart Center is available at http://www.NationwideChildrens.org/heartcenter.
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