Phoebe re-opens region’s most advanced angiography suite

ALBANY – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital recently re-opened its completely renovated and updated angiography suite, which includes new technology that paves the way for more advanced procedures and improves safety for patients and providers.

The angio suite is typically used by vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists for a wide range of procedures to diagnose and treat conditions such as blockages, aneurysms, vascular malformations, tumors, growths, internal hemorrhage and cancer. It includes specialized imaging equipment that provides high-quality, real-time images that allow physicians to precisely target areas of concern.

“In my specialty, seeing is treating,” Phoebe Interventional Radiologist Dr. Sima Banerjee said. “You can’t treat what you can’t see. The high-resolution image quality in our new angio suite allows me to hone in directly on the tiniest vessel for better precision targeted treatment.”

The renovation project replaced all the equipment in the old angio suite with the latest and most advanced technology and added new equipment such as cone beam computed tomography, a medical imaging device that uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam to create high-quality 3D images. That technology will allow Phoebe’s interventional radiologists to be the first in the region to provide additional highly-specialized procedures such as prostate artery embolization, transarterial chemoembolization and Y90 for liver cancer treatment.

Banerjee, who is specialty and subspecialty trained, board-certified and experienced in advanced interventional radiology and endovascular oncologic therapies, said she is excited to bring these advanced treatments to southwest Georgia.

“Interventional radiology is a sub-specialty that includes many minimally-invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system,” she said. “There’s so much we can do to improve the lives of patients, and that’s why I came to Phoebe – to offer that care to people in this part of Georgia so they don’t have to travel elsewhere for those advanced treatments.”

Phoebe’s vascular surgeons also will perform numerous procedures in the angio suite, such as peripheral vascular stenting to improve blood flow and removal of dangerous and potentially deadly blood clots. The improvements in the angio suite also will free up Phoebe’s hybrid OR – which includes angio capabilities as well as traditional surgical services – for more surgeries since some procedures that have been performed there will move to the angio suite.

“This really is an investment in our community,” Phoebe Vascular Surgeon Dr. Daniel Martin said. “We are fortunate to have administrators and board members at the hospital who support us and make sure we have the most advanced technology, and I am grateful to work with an exceptional team of experts who are committed to providing great care to every patient.”

The enhancements also include the installation of the EggNest in the angio suite and in the hybrid OR and cath lab. The EggNest is a lead-lined mattress and shield that dramatically reduces the amount of radiation – almost down to zero – that patients and care teams are exposed to as images are being taken during procedures. Phoebe is the first hospital in Georgia to invest in this safety technology. Eventually, Phoebe providers may be able to discontinue using lead vests that are currently mandated during procedures to protect against radiation exposure; however, the vests are heavy and uncomfortable and can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in those who must wear them often.

“We are excited to be at the forefront of this technological advancement, which shows our commitment to our patients and our staff,” Phoebe President Deb Angerami said. “The upgrades are a testament to our pledge to provide a safe and healthy work environment for our team, while also ensuring the best possible care for our patients. This was a wise investment for Phoebe and one we were pleased to make.”

Special Photo: PhoebeSpecial Photo: Phoebe

Special Photo: Phoebe