Clarian Health Partners: patient care second to none from the leader in medical technology.

AS THE REGION'S LEADER IN medical technology, there are a number of the new and innovative technologies being used only at Clarian Health Partners hospitals Methodist, Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children.

Each of these new technologies enhances patient care and safety, and creates improved clinical outcomes and benefits for patients, far surpassing safety features and treatment options offered at other hospitals in the state.

The daVinci Surgical System, also known as the daVinci "robot," is a new system housed at Methodist Hospital that performs complex minimally invasive procedures. The daVinci robot mimics all of the surgeon's movements just as in normal surgery.

The benefits of the daVinci system include smaller incisions, decrease in blood loss, quicker recovery time, less pain and discomfort, shorter hospital stays, reduced risk of infection and reduced trauma to the body.

At Riley and Methodist, children are now receiving the safest and quickest computed tomography (CT) scans anywhere in the country. Unlike traditional technology, the new 16 Slice CT Scanner allows images to be taken in fractions of a second resulting in reduced radiation exposure.

Another advancement in the treatment of head and brain diseases is the recent update to the Gamma Knife at Indiana University Hospital. The enhanced Gamma Knife is the first in the world to use the next generation of stereotactic radiosurgery.

The principle behind Gamma Knife surgery is to deliver the radiation in a concentrated dose only to the intended target. The procedure is faster and more comfortable for the patient.

The Mobetron is another fascinating technology. Based at Methodist Hospital, the Mobetron uses Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) and delivers radiation, focusing entirely on the tumor and no other part of the body. This requires no post-operative radiation, quicker recovery times, a safer application, and is more cost-effective.

With the introduction of Marls Medical Systems' Medley[TM] Patient Care System, Clarian Health Partners is the first hospital system in the world to use this next-generation IV pump. The Medley pump has a unique self-checking feature known as Guardrails[TM]. Guardrails actually prevents a caregiver from accidentally administering an incorrect dosage of medication to patients.

One important feature of the Medley system enables nurses to run as many as four infusions at once from a single IV pump. This reduces the amount of equipment nurses have to bring into patients' rooms. Less equipment and fewer pumps create a less intimidating environment for patients and their families.

Surgeons practicing at Clarian Health Partners are also among the first in the country to offer an alternative to patients who need hip replacements. The new ceramic hip approved last February lasts longer and allows patients to resume normal activities much more quickly than previous models used for hip replacement.

The ceramic-on-ceramic hip shows significant advancement over the metal-on-plastic variations that are used in conventional hip replacement. The ceramic is more wear resistant and more durable, decreasing the need for patients to have to endure frequent surgical revisits and grafts.

Clarian is fulfilling its mission to provide patient care that is second to none by combining the newest and best technologies with family-centered care.

If you are a physician needing a consultation, or to refer a patient, call Clarian IMACS at 800/622-4989.

If you need a family doctor, call Clarian On-Call at 800/265-3220 or visit www.clarian.org.