Methodist Richardson Medical Center has introduced several pieces of new technology, including upgraded scanners and a surgical robot, in order to increase efficiency and enhance patient care.
The overview
Recent upgrades include a new MRI scanner, a new PET/CT scanner and a new surgical robot, all of which have advanced capabilities for patient care. Methodist Richardson also recently opened two new fully equipped operating rooms.
Methodist Richardson President Ken Hutchenrider said the hospital’s technology upgrades come out of partnerships with medical staff.
“We don’t do this in a vacuum,” Hutchenrider said. “It’s very much a team approach, talking to our physicians and ensuring that we do have what they need to care for patients.”
A closer look
The GE Signa Voyager Wide Bore MRI scanner, which Hutchenrider said was introduced in March, provides a larger space for patients inside the scanner, which reduces the amount of claustrophobia they experience.
“A fair number of people have claustrophobia, and so as a result, oftentimes we have difficulty completing scans,” Hutchenrider said. “[The new scanner] allows us to get a patient in and out. Our throughput is much quicker.”
The MRI also offers newer computerization and faster and improved imaging, Hutchenrider said.
Methodist’s new GE Omni Legend PET/CT scanner, introduced in April, also provides newer computerization with quicker and higher quality scans, Hutchenrider said.
The PET/CT scanner, which he said is the “workhorse” in the cancer center, carries out advanced scanning for patients with cancer in order to identify if there is additional cancer elsewhere in the body. The new model is one of only two cancer scanners of this caliber in North Texas.
“We’re able to really go in and acutely diagnose cancer in the patient,” Hutchenrider said. “It’s bringing advanced technology right on your doorstep, so you don’t have to travel anywhere to receive that level of care.”
Also of note
Methodist also introduced the da Vinci 5 surgical robot in December, a new and upgraded surgical robot used in general surgeries with soft tissue, such as thoracic, colorectal and urology surgery, Hutchenrider said. The robot provides feedback during the surgery that helps surgeons know how much force they are exerting on tissue, he said.
“When you’re working around vessels and things like that, you want to understand how much force you’re doing as you’re cutting through or working through the human body,” Hutchenrider said. “This robot allows the physician to feel that, which is a major advancement in overall care.”
Hutchenrider said Methodist Richardson has used intuitive robots in surgery for 15 years, and the new robot represents the hospital’s efforts to stay on the “leading edge” of surgery robotic systems.
“Surgeons absolutely love it,” Hutchenrider said. “They clamor to use it, and so that tells me that it’s been a very effective piece of equipment to bring online and have for surgeons.”
Latest update
Methodist Richardson opened two new operating rooms in April. Both are built to the same standard as the rest of the hospital’s ORs, but Hutchenrider said they also are equipped with complete Stryker integration. This means all of the power equipment in the room is run through the same system, which Hutchenrider said allows for advanced viewing and increased efficiency by surgeons.
“The surgery doesn’t take as long, because the goal is to have a patient be under anesthesia for the shortest amount of time possible,” Hutchenrider said.
The new operating rooms also brought increased capacity to Methodist, allowing the hospital to complete more surgeries for more patients, he said.
Looking ahead
Hutchenrider said the hospital is eyeing new urology and cardiology equipment, as well as making plans to add another tower to the hospital campus.
