Top Medical Treatment Found In Mi ddie America (NAPSA)—Manyof the more than 200,000 people who are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year mayberelieved to learn of a newplace to go for help. Healing has gone high-tech at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This 344-bed hospital adopts leading technology and care that are typically found only in largecities. The hospital takes medical capabilities to the cutting edge with its new Smart OR. The innovative application of this technology helps deliver state-of-the-art, quality care for brain, spine and trauma patients. Such technology is available in only 16 other places in the world. The Smart OR “With the Smart OR, we are able to remove tumors with precision to the millimeter,” says Kamal Thapar, M.D., Ph.D., FRCS(C), Marshfield Clinic neurosurgeon and director of the Brain & Spine Institute at Sacred Heart Hospital. “The technology goes beyond what the human eye can see. The Smart ORprovides real-time, high-definition data, allowing us to chart an exact path to tumors during operations, so surrounding, healthytissue is not damaged.” The Smart ORis a configuration of advanced imagery and mapping tools. The neurosurgeon’s every move is tracked through infrared cameras, mapping out the best path for tumor removal. This movement is instantaneously fed is reduced, recovery time is quicker and additional operations are minimized. “One of the first questions a family asks is ‘did you get the entire tumor?’,” Thapar says. “Before, next-day testing was necessary to answer that question Advancedtechnology for brain and spine surgery is now available where many people might not expect. into a high-magnification microscope for optimum visualization. The imagery seen in the microscope is also sent to large monitors within the suite so the entire neurosurgical team can follow the operation in real time to best assist with procedures. The iMRI(intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging) is another specialized component of the Smart OR, moving to and from the patient. The iMRI makes up-to-the-second imagery available during procedures. Prior to the implementation of this technology, standard MRI scans could only be done pre- and postsurgery. “All these sophisticated elements come together to create the operating room of the future,” Thapar adds. “The Smart OR is a quantum leap forward in the way surgery is performed.” With the Smart OR, incisions are the size of a quarter, trauma with confidence. Now, with the Smart OR, we can say ‘yes’ with much morecertainty directly following the surgery.” Sacred Heart Hospital is the first hospital in the country to use this particular technology configuration for both surgery and diagnostics. A LeaderIn Health Care “Sacred Heart Hospital strives to be a leader in health care, and housing top technology and employing brilliant talent takes us there,” says Steve Ronstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital. “Successful outcomes are achieved with the Smart OR, and these quality-care results are made possible because ‘smart’ technology merges with ‘smart’ talent. “Patients entrust us with their lives, and we oweit to them to invest in the world’s top technology and treatment options,” Ronstrom adds. “We are launching a revolution in medicine with the Smart OR—providing hope to our patients in an entirely new way.” Learn More For more information, visit www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/ smartor.
