Patients undergoing certain surgeries inside Canberra Hospital's newest operating theatres can expect shorter post-operation stays, including not having to return for secondary procedures which can now be done in "one sitting". Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Moruya's Ken Smith, a 75-year-old agriculturalist, was the first patient to receive planned surgery in one of the hybrid operation theatres in the newly-inaugurated critical services building.
His surgeon, Dr Gert Frahm-Jensen, showed great eagerness about using the space where the available technology superseded traditional operating theatres. The improved experience included an operating table with the ability to provide real-time X-ray guidance for surgeons. "It's really exciting for us as vascular surgeons," Dr Frahm-Jensen said.
"This allows us to do operations that we previously couldn't do in [Canberra]. "It's really brought us to the forefront of what's available in terms of surgical and medical technology in Australia." Ken Smith sits on a patient bed next his surgeon Dr Gert Frahm-Jensen inside Canberra Hospital's newly opened Building 5.
Picture by Keegan Carroll He performed an endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a surgery if done in the old hospital building would require Mr Smith to be wheeled to an X-ray suite, away from the operation theatres. "If there's then a complication [in radiology], it makes it more difficult to address," Dr Frahm-Jensen said. "By having it up here in the operating theatre where we can deal with any unforeseen complications immediately.
"Just makes it a lot safer for the patients and easier for us as surgeons." The doctor said aneurysms like Mr Smith's were a weakness in the main abdominal artery which could "balloon out" and eventually burst. He said this was often immediately fatal for patients.
"It was a pretty big [aneurysm], I'm very lucky," said Mr Smith, who had surgery on Wednesday and was discharged on Friday. Vascular surgeon Gert Frahm-Jensen pictured inside the critical services building in Woden said certain patients will benefit from spending less time in surgery. Picture by Keegan Carroll Dr Frahms-Jensen was one of many surgeons and hospital staff consulted for the design of the new theatres.
"We've been intimately involved in the design of the hybrid operating theaters and the procurement process, as well ensuring that we had equipment that was exactly what we needed," he said. The doctor said the upgrades allowed for a wider range of operations to be done safely in the same session. He revealed certain procedures previously required two surgeries to be done on separate occasions which was no longer necessary thanks to the hybrid rooms.
"We're hoping by having the one room where we can do all of our operations, we will reduce the time between operations where we've previously been moving staff and equipment from one room to another," Dr Frahms-Jensen said. Reducing the number of people on the waitlist for surgery remained a goal for the vascular surgeon. In the ACT's surgery waitlist updated on Friday, patients ready and waiting for vascular surgery were shown to be the most overdue in Category 1 (40 per cent) where surgery is recommended within 30 days and Category 2 (67 per cent) where surgery is recommended within 90 days.
Dr Frahms-Jensen hoped wait times would be cut down as a result of more operations taking place in the hybrid theatres and patients receiving "much more efficient care". Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Bageshri Savyasachi Reporter I am a general reporter with an interest in health, crime, transparency and issues affecting Canberra's diverse communities. Contact me at bageshri.
[email protected] or send confidential tips to bageshri.
[email protected] I am a general reporter with an interest in health, crime, transparency and issues affecting Canberra's diverse communities. Contact me at bageshri.
[email protected] or send confidential tips to bageshri.
[email protected] More from Canberra Safer surgeries, less waiting: Inside Canberra's new hybrid operating theatres 20m ago No comment s Win a double pass to the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs in Canberra 1hr ago No comment s Get reading: The Big Issue's Fiction Edition is now on sale 1hr ago No comment s The best Father's Day 2024 gifts according to Australian dads 1hr ago Why retinol is the latest beauty ingredient on everyone's lips 'My heart's racing': Majura Valley farmers offered 25-year leases 'in-principle' No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
Loading...
DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading..
. WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading.
.. WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered.
Loading...
DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading..
. AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading.
.. WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Sunday explore destinations, deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around Australia and the globe.
Loading...
WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading..
. WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading.
.. WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend.
Loading...
WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading..
. WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground.
Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading.
.. TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.
Loading...
WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading..
. TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading.
.. AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks.
Loading...
DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading..
. DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading.
...
