Over the past 20-plus years, the introduction of robotic systems into the operating room has significantly changed healthcare's approach to surgery. Evidence suggests the technology contributes to shorter length of stays, lower complication rates and improved optimization of the operating room. Hospitals nationwide are acquiring robotic systems for a range of surgical uses.
Intuitive’s da Vinci Surgical System has established itself as a leader among robotic surgery systems. Through a minimally invasive approach, the fourth generation da Vinci Xi Surgical System can be used in a wide spectrum of surgical procedures. Since its introduction 20+ years ago, the da Vinci platforms have helped transform minimally invasive surgery.
"Over the past 17 years or so, I have been around this technology," said Nick Santore, Intuitive’s senior director of customer finance and pricing, adding that the current da Vinci platform's sophistication is the result of "four generations of technology advancements and has been utilized in over six million procedures."
Since 2014, Intuitive has also worked with customers to overcome any financial challenges, making the technology more accessible to a wide range of providers. The company offers various financing options, including structured payment leases so hospitals can utilize unused budgeted capital prior to the end of a fiscal year. Taking it one-step further, Intuitive offers highly customized finance programs designed to meet our customers’ needs.
Hospital leaders across the U.S. are pitching robotic surgery to their board of directors. During a Feb. 20 webinar, sponsored by Intuitive Surgical and presented by Becker's Hospital Review, Vicki Newmiller, CEO of Great Falls (Mont.) Clinic, detailed her hospital's robotics journey, offering insights into the acquisition process and the current state of the organization's robotics program.
Why robotics?
"As we tried to understand why robotics made sense for the Great Falls Clinic, it was important to us as leaders to determine where robotics plays a part in our mission, vision and values," Ms. Newmiller said.
Upon further investigation, leaders at the Great Falls Clinic determined they were losing a fair amount of surgical volume because it did not have a robotic surgery system. The organization determined that many of its obstetrics and gynecology and prostate surgeons were traveling to other hospitals to perform procedures. Additionally, the organization found patients were also seeking hospitals equipped with the latest surgical technology.
"Patients will travel outside of their communities for technology that they believe is going to benefit them," Ms. Newmiller said. "Robotics has received a lot of attention on decreasing complications and enhancing recovery."
The Great Falls Clinic also brainstormed with independent surgeons about launching a possible robotics program. During their discussions, the hospital discovered around 90 percent of independent surgeons were already performing robotic-assisted surgery.
With many surgeons in the state already familiar with the da Vinci Surgical System, the platform became the clear choice for acquisition.
The results
After partnering with Intuitive to finance the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, the Great Falls Clinic immediately began training surgeons to use the surgery system. The Great Falls Clinic also began spreading word to other providers and patients in the area about the robotic surgery system.
Prior to developing the robotic program, the hospital had three OB/GYN surgeons. Now, the Great Falls Clinic has five OB/GYN surgeons, four general surgeons, two urology surgeons and one thoracic surgeon on staff.
"The reality is this piece of technology is very important for your market," Ms. Newmiller said. Patients demand is also increasingly motivating and driving physicians to undergo robotics training.
Since launching its robotics service line, the Great Falls Clinic has seen the number of procedures conducted with the da Vinci Surgical System increase year after year. In 2018, the hospital recorded approximately 800 robotic surgeries. This is up from 500 in 2017 and nearly 200 in 2016. The Great Falls Clinic uses the surgery system for a wide variety of procedures, including gynecological procedures, colorectal, general surgery and thoracic surgery.
The Great Falls Clinic has also significantly reduced its average length of stay for colorectal procedures with the robotic surgery system from seven days to 3.5 days. This reduction contributes to an estimated $5,000 in savings per case.
The Great Falls Clinic's robotic surgery program is helping the hospital meet its goal of achieving the quadruple aim by improving outcomes, lowering costs, boosting the patient experience and increasing physician satisfaction.
To learn more about Intuitive, click here.
To watch a recording of the webinar, click here.