Imagine if…your primary care physician just discovered a concerning nodule in your lung. Traditionally, your first step would be to schedule a CT scan so your physician can review images of the mass. You would then schedule a bronchoscopy to biopsy the nodule, which would be sent for pathological diagnosis. Finally, you would be scheduled for thoracic surgery to remove the mass. This can be a lengthy process due to limited resources and availability. However, with a hybrid operating room, this process could be accomplished all at once in the same room, within a matter of hours.
A hybrid operating room (hybrid OR) combines a regular operating room with advanced imaging technology. This innovative space allows physicians to conduct imaging, biopsies, diagnoses and surgeries all during one session without leaving the sterile area. This can lead to safer procedures, better health outcomes, faster recovery times and lower overall costs for patients.
The growing need
With rapid growth in the Brazos Valley area, Baylor Scott & White Health is preparing to meet the community’s current and future needs with advanced medical technology.
The need for surgical care is expected to rise rapidly at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station, particularly in the following areas:
- 16.1% growth in cardiovascular outpatient procedures
- 10.3% growth in neurological outpatient procedures
- 8% expected annual growth in stroke procedures
A hybrid OR would allow us to offer additional services that are not currently available on our College Station campus—such as advanced procedures for cancer and stroke patients—that require intra-operative imaging.
In addition, the flexibility of the hybrid OR would allow us to serve more patients by increasing our capacity for procedures already offered on our campus. The hybrid OR can function as a cath lab for minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures, as well as a streamlined space for structural heart procedures and advanced neurological surgeries.
