State-of-the-art equipment arrives at Coshocton Hospital
COSHOCTON – Technological evolutions in surgical care have brought about advancements that have permanently changed the landscape of surgery in hospital operating rooms worldwide. One such advancement is endoscopic/laparoscopic equipment with high definition (HD) video support, the state-of-the-art standard for hospitals performing minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures. This technology is now being installed in the Coshocton Hospital operating rooms as part of an ongoing initiative to revolutionize the surgical and diagnostic capabilities available in the local community and surrounding region.
In collaboration with Karl Storz Endoscopy – America, Inc, a leading international producer of endoscopic/laparoscopic instruments and equipment, as well as through generous contributions from two local foundations, Coshocton County Memorial Hospital has received over $1.2 million in endoscopic/laparoscopic equipment for installation in its operating rooms and newly re-designed endoscopy suite.
Endoscopic/laparoscopic equipment has uses in a variety of surgical disciplines including general surgery, orthopedics, endoscopy, urology and gynecology. Each unit or “tower” is comprised of several components including a camera equipped with a cold light to project an image of the internal cavity to a high-definition (HD) screen. The surgeon maneuvers selected instruments through small external incisions to complete diagnostic and/or surgical procedures, guided by the clarity and full-field image projected in real time on the HD screen. Skilled surgeons can now use endoscopic/laparoscopic technology to perform many highly effective surgical and diagnostic procedures without the major incisions and long recovery inconveniences that patients once faced.
Coshocton Hospital’s pursuit of high-level upgrades to their endoscopy/laparoscopy equipment began in earnest last year with the addition of general surgeons Hoang Lim, DO, and Keith Harmon, MD, and gynecological surgeon Dana Owens, MD, to the hospital’s medical staff. Each of these physicians specializes in minimally invasive surgery with the expertise to use the latest surgical and diagnostic technology to the fullest capacity.
When the surgeons arrived in the fall of last year, Coshocton Hospital used grants received in the amount of $50,000 from the Montgomery Foundation and $30,000 from the Coshocton Foundation toward the purchase of surgical instrumentation to upgrade the capabilities of the endoscopic/laparoscopic equipment in place at the time. The equipment purchased with this essential local funding is fully transferable to the new system.
Storz Endoscopy followed with the proposal for an equipment lease that provided an appealing alternative to purchasing the newest generation of endoscopic/laparoscopic towers outright to replace the existing technology. This option has become the norm within the ever-evolving science of surgical technology. Storz has held a strong social commitment to promoting access to quality medical care over its 61-year history and recognizes the benefit of collaborating with community hospitals equally committed to providing high quality care that reduces cost, travel and inconvenience for patients.
The technology involved in the endoscopic/laparoscopic system makes it adaptable to many surgical and diagnostic functions that allow a clear view inside the body through natural openings such as the throat or anus, or through small incisions as in laparoscopic surgeries or arthroscopic orthopedic procedures. Coshocton Hospital has installed the system in the operating rooms for surgical procedures, and installation is also underway in the newly-designed endoscopy suite for procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to screen for, diagnose and treat digestive system issues. Additional scopes have also been provided to the emergency department and anesthesiology team to help open and maintain patient airways when health conditions warrant. The acquisition also includes equipment for the Surgical and Women’s Health Centers for procedures that can be performed in the physician’s office.
“Our goal has been to complement the high quality of our surgeons with the latest technology available for endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures to provide unmatched surgical care right here in our community,” said the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, Stephanie Conn, RN, MSN. “With the outstanding support from the Montgomery and Coshocton Foundations and the recruitment of highly skilled surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive procedures, followed by our collaboration with an industry leader in endoscopic technology, we continue to bring enhanced technological and quality of care to the patients and communities we serve.”
Category: Business
