USA Health unveils new high-tech operating rooms at University Hospital
“The addition of these four ORs and hybrid OR suite will dramatically expand our ability to perform the most complex tertiary surgical procedures while also caring for our trauma patients.”
By Carol McPhail
cmcphail@health.southalabama.edu
USA Health today unveiled five new, high-tech operating rooms as part of a significant expansion at University Hospital, home to the region’s only level 1 trauma center.
The more than 15,000-square-foot expansion features four state-of-the-art operating rooms and a hybrid operating suite that incorporates advanced imaging to guide cardiovascular procedures and facilitate complex trauma surgeries. The expansion also adds a 12-bed post-anesthesia care unit for patients recovering from surgery.
“This expansion demonstrates USA Health's commitment to provide more access to world-class surgical care for people in our communities,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs.
John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, said the expansion aligns with the goals of the region’s only academic health system. “These improvements will further support our tripartite mission to provide high-quality clinical care, education and research,” he said.
The spacious new operating rooms feature the most advanced ceiling-mounted lighting systems and ceiling-mounted booms to integrate the latest equipment while also enhancing efficiency and safety. The rooms incorporate extra space for robotics used in minimally invasive surgery, radiology C-arms for orthopaedic surgery and advanced image-guidance systems for neurosurgery.
“Our ambulatory footprint has grown significantly in the past several years. As a result, demand for surgical care has become an even greater need, as well,” said Shannon Scaturro, M.S.H.A., M.S.N., CRNA, FACHE, chief operating officer for USA Health and assistant vice president for medical affairs. “This expansion will help us meet that demand.”
The hybrid operating suite incorporates a Philips Azurion advanced imaging system to allow surgeons to perform the most advanced cardiac, vascular and interventional radiology procedures. The suite brings together cardiologists, radiologists, cardiac surgeons and vascular surgeons who use image-guided surgery to perform new procedures. In addition, trauma surgeons will use the hybrid suite for complex trauma patients who need advanced surgical treatment.
The operating rooms also feature a laminar air flow ventilation system to improve air quality and help prevent infection.
“The addition of these four ORs and hybrid OR suite will dramatically expand our ability to perform the most complex tertiary surgical procedures while also caring for our trauma patients,” said Jon D. Simmons, M.D., FACS, trauma medical director and chief of the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospital.
