Northeast Georgia Medical Center is the first and only hospital in Georgia to offer Airo® Mobile CT in the operating room

Published: Tuesday, June 6, 2017

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Patients undergoing specialized surgery at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville can rest assured knowing their physicians take advantage of the latest in medical technology. Surgeons at NGMC Gainesville are the first and only physicians in Georgia to utilize the advanced imaging capabilities of Airo® Mobile Intraoperative CT (computed tomography), a new CT scanner that gives surgeons precise and real-time information during surgery to make decisions on the fly and ensure success.

            Prior to Airo Mobile Intraoperative CT, surgeons needed to complete the surgical procedure and transfer the patient to a radiology room to take new images. With Airo CT, the portable, 32-slice CT scanner allows surgeons to see how procedures are progressing after each step of the surgical process. When connected to NGMC’s image guided surgery system, Airo also offers a GPS-like navigation system for the human body that potentially increases surgical accuracy.

 “The new CT scanner produces diagnostic quality images with information that we, as surgeons, can immediately act upon—allowing us to potentially change course during surgery if needed,” said Dr. Betsy Grunch, neurosurgeon at The Longstreet Clinic, P.C. “Having the ability to view and confirm our work during surgery is a great benefit to physicians, but can also provide even bigger benefits to patients.”

            In addition to potentially reducing the need for more surgeries in the future, Airo’s intraoperative imaging can offer patients a less invasive procedure, reduced trauma and faster recovery times. Airo is ideal for use during neuro, cranial, spinal and orthopedic surgeries, such as spinal fusions that help with back problems and scoliosis surgery to correct abnormal curves in the spine.

                “Our goal as surgeons is to provide patients with safe, precise and effective treatments,” said Dr. Arun Jacob, neurosurgeon at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. “With Airo technology, we have another tool in our arsenal for enhancing surgical accuracy and offering better patient outcomes.”

To see how Airo CT works, learn more at nghs.com/airo.

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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER GAINESVILLE

Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville is rated Georgia’s #1 Hospital for the third consecutive year and among the top 10 in the nation by CareChex®, an independent healthcare quality rating service.  Along with its sister hospital, NGMC Braselton, the two campuses share a total of 657 beds and a medical staff of more than 600 physicians representing more than 50 specialties.

NGMC Gainesville, NGMC Braselton and NGMC Barrow are part of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), a non-profit that cares for more than 800,000 people in more than 13 counties, with a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do.  Learn more at www.nghs.com.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) brings together more than 300 talented physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives and other clinical staff representing more than 20 specialties at more than 50 locations across North Georgia.  Learn more at www.ngpg.org.

NGPG is affiliated with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), which serves more than 800,000 people in more than 13 counties across the region.  As part of NGHS, patients of NGPG have a direct connection to Northeast Georgia Medical Center – Georgia’s #1 Hospital (CareChex®).  Learn more at www.nghs.com.