6 TRW AUTUMN 2013 Westmead Doctor performs Australian first Robotic Partial Nephrectomy with Firefly Imaging Australia’s first partial nephrectomy using state-of-theart robotic technology with firefly imaging has been performed at Westmead Private Hospital. Partial nephrectomy procedures involve removing cancers or tumours from the kidneys, while leaving much of the remaining healthy kidney in place. With the firefly technology (an integrated fluorescence imaging capability) it provides the surgeon real-time, image-guided identification of key anatomical landmarks using near-infrared technology. A green dye in administered by an anaesthetist through a peripheral IV line. The dye then binds to plasma proteins in blood. The dye under the robot’s special fluoroscopic camera shows up “firefly green” and shows the difference between cancerous and healthy tissue, as well as the blood supply to the tumour. This allows for a more accurate removal of the tumour as the surgeon can leave the healthy tissue of the organ in place and potentially lowers the risk of any cancer being left behind. Surgeons are able to quickly switch back and forth between firefly imaging and normal white light. Fluorescence imaging allows surgeons to see and assess anatomy better than the naked eye, further enhancing the unmatched vision, precision and control of minimally invasive surgery. Urologist, Dr Howard Lau successfully performed the minimally invasive surgery on a patient earlier this month, using the da Vinci Si Robotic Surgical System with firefly, purchased by Westmead Private Hospital recently. “The da Vinci Si robot is ideally suited to the delicate cutting and stitching required in this surgery,” said Dr Lau. “There are a number of advantages to the patient, including less surgical trauma, less blood loss, and a faster recovery time.” Dr Lau is a Senior Specialist in Urology and Transplant Surgery based in Western Sydney, and a recognised leader in his field. Tim Daniel, CEO of Westmead Private Hospital said: “This is just another great example of the outstanding medical intervention which is being performed at Westmead Private Hospital as a true centre of surgical excellence”. Dr Howard Lau L-R: Anaesthetist Dr Terry Pryor; Hospital CEO Mary Single; Operating Theatre Nurse Unit Manager Cheryl Constance; & Clinical Nurse Kath Latter Patient Falls focus for Scholarship recipient Masada’s Mother Baby Unit helps new parents Armidale Celebrates 15th Anniversary Mary-Jane Capp, nurse and patient safety coordinator at Greenslopes Private Hospital, has been announced the winner of this year’s Ramsay Health Care Ella Lowe Research Grant. Mary-Jane’s research will focus on the impact on the number of patient falls when a dashboard of quality and safety indicators is available to nurse unit managers. The research topic presents a significant opportunity for Ramsay to study a key area of risk and look at further ways of reducing patient falls within our hospitals. Mary-Jane is passionate about quality and safety of patient care, in particular, falls prevention. One year ago she commenced “Operation Stand 2 Attention”, an initiative directed to Nurse Unit Managers (NUMs) and their staff in an effort to reduce patient falls through providing customised benchmarks or goals for falls prevention.May-Jane’s current research project extends the customised benchmarking of “Operation Stand 2 Attention” to include other customised clinical and staff incident data in a computer dashboard. Almost 18 months since opening, Masada Private’s Mother Baby Unit is proving to be a popular service for new parents and mounting evidence points to good outcomes as well. In 2012, just under 1000 families were admitted to the program – a five day residential program tailored to meet the individual needs of families. The program includes an acute specialist treatment program for mothers and infants as well as a dedicated fathers’ group and family therapy work. Masada’s Director of Clinical Services Lisa Carter said for some families the experience of pregnancy, birth, mothering or early life can be complicated and distressing. “We have experienced a great demand for this service and have doubled the size of the unit since opening. It is also achieving some excellent outcomes,” Lisa said. “Evidence is showing that brief, structured residential early parenting programs are highly effective in reducing non-psychotic maternal psychological morbidity, improving infant behaviour and strengthening maternal confidence and parenting capacity in the short and longer term.” She said six months after completing the program the overall evaluation from mothers was that 97% found it had been “somewhat” or “very helpful” and 100% had learned about their baby’s development needs and their infant care skills had improved. Most mothers (93%) thought that their infant’s needs had been addressed effectively and 88% that their own needs had been recognised and assisted. In 2013, Armidale Private Hospital in northern New South Wales, celebrates 15 years since opening. The hospital was commissioned in January 1998 and has been providing exceptional care to the community of Armidale since opening. The hospital has recently opened its second operating theatre due to the appointment of new specialists and increased demand. During the past 15 years, Armidale has been recognised with numerous awards and accolades for its exceptional customer service. HOSPITAL NEWS There are a num ber of advantag es to th e pat ient , including less surgical trauma , less blood loss, & a faster recovery time.
The Ramsay Way Autumn 2013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above