Designed to increase safety and efficiency, Pulse platform now utilized at affiliated outpatient surgery center
Providence Saint John’s Health Center patients in need of spinal surgery now have access to a first-of-its kind surgical platform meant to increase safety, efficiency and procedural reproducibility of surgical outcomes in spine surgery.
The Nuvasive Pulse Platform is the first system to integrate radiation reduction, imaging enhancement, spinal rod bending, surgical navigation and intraoperative neuromonitoring all in a single platform. The innovative system is now operational at an affiliated ambulatory surgical center located approximately six miles south of the health center.
The deployment of the Pulse Platform at Marina Del Ray Ambulatory Surgery Center, of which Providence Saint John’s maintains partial ownership, allows physicians to engage in less invasive and more advanced surgical procedures, all while addressing some of the most common clinical challenges in spine surgery such as radiation exposure and nerve and spinal cord injury. It is the first outpatient ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in the country to install the novel technology.
Sanjay Khurana, M.D., a surgeon who has had the opportunity to utilize the cutting-edge technology, lauded the platform for providing “greater flexibility and precision” in the operating room and noted initial positive patient outcomes.
“Any technology that can reduce recovery times and save patients money is worth pursuing,” Dr. Khurana said. “It’s still early, but patient results so far have been promising.”
The installation of the Nuvasive Pulse Platform adds to an already impressive array of robot-assisted surgical tools available to Providence Saint John’s patients, including Stryker’s Mako Robotic-Arm for assisting knee replacement surgery, Intuitive’s Ion endoluminal system that allows physicians to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lung, and Intuitive’s Da Vinci XI, capable of multi-quadrant procedures in gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery — all of which are found at the health center.
“Providence Saint John’s always has had a laser focus on improving clinical safety and outcomes,” said James Kotwis, executive director of the health center’s neuroscience, orthopedic and spine institutes. “From a safety and surgical perspective, providers and Providence Saint John’s patients whose surgery is performed at the ASC will greatly benefit from the use of the Pulse Platform. I am excited at all the ways this technology will transform the operating room and allow our patients to receive the latest in surgical care.”
In addition, Providence Saint John’s has been nationally recognized for its advanced surgical care, including recently being named by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 best hospitals for surgical care.
“Surgery is a scary endeavor, but there is a certain peace of mind that comes along with knowing you’re in the best hands possible and that your care team has access to some of the most advanced technology out there,” Kotwis said.
“Given its highly touted reputation, I am confident the Pulse system will better equip our physicians and caregivers and raise the overall standard of care we’re able to provide.”
Click here to learn more about Providence Saint John’s spine services.
