EXCELLENCE

Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s spine surgery program ranks among the nation’s best.

Pain stemming from spinal diseases can be debilitating and affect a person’s overall quality of life.

When patients have exhausted conservative treatment measures without success, surgery is typically the next step. That begs a question: Won’t patients have to travel outside Lake County to find a skilled neurosurgeon

Indeed, patients who undergo spine surgery at LRMC have an excellent clinical team on their side. This team includes neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists who have centered their skill sets, knowledge, and expertise in helping patients get “back” to their previous quality of life.

A Commitment To Excellence

When Dr. Michael Hill moved from Daytona Beach to become Lake County’s first neurosurgeon in 2000, he vowed to bring the most advanced spinal treatment and technology with him. He worked closely with hospital administrators to ensure that dream became a reality.

during surgery helps reduce the risk of nervous system complications.

who consistently delivers excellent surgical results and a hospital that offers innovative pre- and post-surgical treatment to help patients recover as fast as possible?

The answer is a resounding no. Healthgrades®, one of the country’s leading independent health care ratings company, recognized Leesburg Regional Medical Center (LRMC) as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery. The organization bases its rankings solely on clinical performance.

“This recognition is a result of our efforts to provide superior patient care with excellent surgical outcomes,” says Laurie Harsh, director of perioperative services. “It reflects the dedication and skill of the hospital’s physicians, nurses, and entire staff.”

“When I first came here, I told the hospital that we need to work together and push ourselves to be at the forefront of technology, as long as the technology is beneficial to patients. Not only do we have the best technology, we also work together to take care of our patients in the best way possible. This award is confirmation that patients who undergo spinal surgery at LRMC receive excellent results and excellent care.”

With each surgery he performs, Dr. Hill works alongside a team that is specially trained in neurosurgery. That team includes his physician’s assistant, two nurses, and two scrub technicians. In addition, he utilizes an intra-operative microscope that illuminates the surgical field and allows him to view the spine in great detail. Plus, neuro monitoring

“We hook patients up to a continuously running electromyograph (EMG) so we can monitor the electrical activity of nerves in the spinal cord,” he says. “If there is any kind of deficit, we will be alerted and can reverse the problem right there. If the electrical signals are as good as or better than before the surgery, then I know I haven’t done anything to injure the nerves.”

Because neurosurgery has changed dramatically since Dr. Hill arrived in Leesburg 13 years ago, most procedures he performs are minimally invasive. This allows for speedier recovery times, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays. Dr. Daniel Spurrier, another neurosurgeon on staff with Central Florida Health Alliance, also specializes in minimally invasive procedures.

“The technology that we offer for neurosurgery is stateof-the-art, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for patients,” Dr. Hill says.

Of course, it takes more than advanced technology and skilled surgical hands to guarantee total patient satisfaction. LRMC goes above and beyond to ensure patients receive a superior level of care.

Before each surgery, a timeout is called so the operating room team can communicate vital information about the patient and confirm the proper surgery is being performed on the right patient. Also, patients undergoing spine surgery have one final X-ray before the procedure to make certain the surgeon is operating on the correct level of the spine.

Once the surgery is complete, the patient is moved to a private room inside the hospital’s neurosurgical wing. This wing is staffed by a group of nurses who have received specialized training in post-surgical neurosurgery care. After surgery, physical therapists visit with spine patients to help them walk, which speeds up the recovery process.

“The neurosurgical staff possesses a great deal of pride in making sure patients experience great outcomes,” says Lori Richardson, associate vice president of inpatient services. “Everybody knows what their job is, and they work like a well-oiled machine.”

One thing is certain: When it comes to spine surgery, Lake County residents need not travel to larger cities to experience fantastic results and superior care.

LAKE EAR NOSE THROAT & FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY