Robotic arms of a robotic surgical system demonstrate how doctors at Orlando Health Cancer Institute use the system during procedures for treatment of lung cancer.
Orlando Health recognizes the pivotal role of technology in providing high-quality healthcare. Physicians use the latest technological advancements to perform surgeries, screen for diseases, assess certain illnesses through virtual visits and a myriad of other initiatives that enable the best outcomes for patients.
Through these innovative measures, patients are diagnosed and treated with exceptional accuracy and compassionate care in state-of-the-art facilities or in some cases, their home.
Artificial Intelligence in Orthopedic Care
Last year, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute became one of the first in the United States to offer artificial intelligence assistance in hip replacement procedures. When Dr. George Haidukewych started operating 25 years ago, patients were often in the hospital for up to a week after undergoing a hip replacement. Haidukewych, director of orthopedic trauma, chief of complex joint replacement and academic chairman at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, says with new implant technology and surgical techniques such as robots, plus advancements in patient care, the length of stay for patients has continued to decline.
“The AI technology continues this trend by shortening the procedure and decreasing the amount of time a patient is under anesthesia,” says Haidukewych. “Now, our patients can undergo hip replacement surgery in the morning and be home before lunchtime.” The integration of AI into hip replacement surgeries has been a groundbreaking development in the orthopedic community. Use of the technology promises enhanced outcomes, shorter recovery times and improved overall patient satisfaction. The new simulation modeling allows orthopedic surgeons to install the hip replacement with accuracy to the degree and millimeter that is appropriate for the individual patient. Artificial intelligence is applied to the X-rays taken in the operating room to confirm the placement. The technology provides immediate feedback in the operating room about whether the surgeon hit the target, allowing unique precision and efficiency during surgery.
Doctors with Orlando Health Cancer Institute use a robotic surgical system in procedures for treatment of lung cancer.
Robots for Lung Screenings and Treatment
Physicians at Orlando Health Cancer Institute know that time and precision are critical for a lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. To detect one of the leading causes of cancer, a lung biopsy system helps physicians reach further into the lungs to detect lesions and obtain tissue samples. This minimally invasive procedure helps oncologists diagnose lung cancer sooner, which improves survival rates.
The system uses an ultra-thin articulating robotic catheter that can move 180-degrees in all directions, which enables physicians to navigate through small, tortuous airways within the lungs. Throughout the navigation and biopsy process, the system’s fiber optic shape sensor technology provides the physician with the precise location and shape information of the catheter. In addition, the system easily integrates with existing lung-nodule biopsy systems and imaging technology, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound and CT. This system enables precision and accuracy for soft tissue procedures along with powerful vision tools for surgeons to see the body. “Early screenings and detection of lung cancer is critical to survival,” says Dr. Ali Jiwani, interventional pulmonologist, Orlando Health Cancer Institute. “Tools, along with the world-class care we provide at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, ensure patients receive the care they need— from an accurate diagnosis to the best possible treatment.”
24/7 Virtual Monitoring at Home
Adult patients with certain acute conditions can receive high-quality care in the comfort of their own residence through Orlando Health Hospital Care at Home. The program is available to Orlando Health patients who meet specific clinical criteria determined by hospital staff. Portable technology connects patients to the Orlando Health Patient Care Hub for 24/7 remote monitoring and virtual care by nurses and providers. Patients receive daily in-person care from nursing team members, along with virtual provider and consultant visits. Mobile imaging, labs, dietary services and therapy are provided as ordered. Medical conditions that can be cared for in the home-based program include cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, urinary tract infection, heart failure, COVID-19, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis flare-ups, sepsis and vasculitis.
The program is offered through:
- Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center
- Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
- Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
- Orlando Health Emergency Room–Osceola
- Orlando Health Emergency Room–Randal Park
- Orlando Health Emergency Room–Lake Mary and
- Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
It was the first in Central Florida to be approved for Medicare and Medicaid patients and now accepts participating private insurances.
To be eligible, a patient’s home must be a safe environment located within the deter- mined geographical catchment area in case emergency care is required.
Dr. Siddharaj G. Shah, medical and quality director for Orlando Health Hospital Care at Home, says the use of technology, combined with in-person visits, ensures that patients are continuously monitored just as they would be in a hospital.
“Our patients are getting the same excellent standard of care, but in the comfort of their own environment, which we have already seen aids in the recovery process,” Shah says.