Doctors Medical Center Unveils New Hybrid Operating Suite

Modesto, Calif. – Doctors Medical Center continues to expand its cardiology services, offering additional advancements for those in need of cardiac care in the Central Valley.

Construction is complete on the hospital’s brand new $5 million hybrid operating suite, one of only a handful of similar hybrid suites in the region. The state-of-the-art suite is equipped with advanced medical imaging technology and has capabilities of performing both minimally-invasive catheter procedures and traditional surgery. The suite expands the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and interventional radiology capacity and enhances the facility’s surgical ability for traumas and structural heart procedures.

In the new hybrid operating suite, a robotic arm is linked to an imaging system which allows flexible movement to almost any location on a patient so the surgeon can see internal details from multiple angles and perform some of the most advanced clinical procedures such as valve replacements and open heart surgeries. Thanks to the cutting edge technology, doctors can respond more rapidly in the event of any complication during cardiovascular procedures. The sterility of the OR allows for open vascular procedures. The suite is designed so that physicians can work more precisely and efficiently to complete complex operations.

“Doctors Medical Center is dedicated to providing patients access to some of the latest cardiac treatments,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctors Medical Center. “We are confident this advanced technology will not only provide patients with a faster diagnosis, but also lead to improved outcomes.”

These new advancements will prove beneficial to both patients and doctors by joining cardiovascular surgeons and cardiologists to discern the proper course of treatment, either being traditional surgery or less invasive techniques. Typical procedures include: diagnostic angiograms, angioplasty and stent replacement.

The vision of the new hybrid room was brought forth by James MacMillan, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon at Doctors Medical Center. Dr. MacMillan has been practicing at the hospital since 1978, and performed the hospital’s 20,000th open heart surgery in June 2017.

“This is a top-notch program – from the nurses who are top-of-the-line professionals to the dedicated anesthesia team to the remarkable group of surgeons that has been here throughout,” said Dr. MacMillan, who will be the first to use the new hybrid operating suite. “The support and resources we receive from the hospital help make it an outstanding program and the new hybrid room provides another layer of cardiology services we provide to our community. This new suite gives patients access to the very best technology available, and life-saving treatments right here in Modesto.”

Doctors Medical Center prides itself are being a one-stop-shop for cardiology patients. Patients can stay close to home and near their support system to have their cardiac care needs met, instead of traveling to the Bay Area or other surrounding regions. From minimally-invasive therapies and now advanced hybrid procedures, Doctors Medical Center offers dozens of diagnostic and treatment services.

Cardiology care services at Doctors Medical Center include:

• Structural Heart Program: TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement), PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) Closure and MitraClip (coming soon)
• Cryoablation
• Leadless Pacemaker
• Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator
• Impella
• Five fully operational cardiac catheterization labs, plus brand new hybrid room