The future of surgery is here

AITKIN HOSPITAL UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART SURGERY ADDITION

Riverwood Healthcare Center is ushering in a new era of surgical excellence with the opening of a cutting-edge surgery wing at its Aitkin hospital, set to welcome patients in August. This innovative facility features six integrated operating rooms designed to support the latest in robotic-assisted technology, ensuring the hospital is well-prepared for future growth and advancements in surgical care.

Advanced Technology For Enhanced Patient Care

The new operating rooms, equipped with robotic-assisted systems like da Vinci and VELYS are larger and meticulously redesigned to incorporate these and other innovations. These enhancements aim to significantly improve patient recovery and overall care quality.

The surgery addition includes outpatient clinic space to support growing needs for general surgery, urology and ear, nose and throat care. Patients will continue to be seen for many other specialty services in existing clinic space.

Surgical services are further supported by two additional procedure rooms, three endoscopy suites, 25 pre-op and recovery rooms, a post-anesthesia care unit, and a sterile processing area, all within a 70,000-square-foot expansion designed by DSGW Architects and constructed by Kraus-Anderson.

Keeping Patients Closer To Home With Hybrid Operating Room

A standout feature of the new surgery suite is the advanced imaging suite or hybrid operating room. This unique facility combines a fully equipped surgical operating room with stateof-the-art x-ray imaging technology mounted on a robotic gantry system, offering comprehensive imaging coverage of the entire patient.

Dr. Evan Kelly, one of Riverwood Healthcare Center’s four general surgeons, highlights the benefits of this high-tech operating room. “This advanced hybrid room will significantly enhance our surgical capabilities, allowing patients to receive complex, minimally invasive procedures close to home, rather than traveling to larger medical centers,” says Dr. Kelly, who has completed fellowships in ERCP/EUS and pancreaticobiliary surgery, as well as advanced gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery.

“The integration of a traditional operating room with advanced X-ray imaging technology enables highly skilled physicians across various specialties to perform intricate, image-guided surgeries on all body systems,” Dr. Kelly explains. “The fully digital integration allows specialists to visualize and process images and data from multiple instruments, monitors, cameras, ultrasound, and x-ray systems simultaneously on a single, customizable high-definition monitor.”

Learn more about Riverwood surgeons and services at riverwoodhealthcare.org.