Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is leading a surgical revolution with the most technologically advanced operating environment for the patients of Bergen County. Its new hybrid operating room combines the most sophisticated diagnostic imaging technology available with the sterile environment of a conventional operating room (OR), reflecting the Medical Center’s commitment to staying on the leading edge of medical and technological advancements.

“Our patients and physicians are very excited about the hybrid OR at Englewood Hospital,” said Michael T. Harris, MD, Chief of Surgical Services at Englewood Hospital. “Treatment that used to take several days or more and in multiple ORs and diagnostic labs are now performed in one visit in one room. It is the next step in bringing a more innovative and advanced level of cardiovascular, vascular and neurosurgical care to the patients in the region.”

The unique design of the 1,200-sq.-ft. Hybrid OR and combination of high-end imaging systems and innovative operating room equipment allows Englewood Hospital’s multidisciplinary medical experts to seamlessly diagnose and treat patients in one visit. This provides patients with a more comfortable experience and a reduced recovery time.

“In select patients, the hybrid OR will allow us to combine two procedures into one operation. For example, a heart patient may require open cardiac bypass surgery and a less invasive balloon angioplasty to open up another clogged artery,” said James Klein, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Englewood Hospital. “Instead of performing two separate cardiac procedures, we can now perform just one, which is better for our patients.

Also, it reduces risk and improves outcomes for our patients.” Hybrid OR procedures performed at Englewood Hospital may include the following:

Same-day coronary artery interventions

Minimally invasive aortic heart valve repair or replacement

Aortic valve implantation

Endovascular aneurysm repair and thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair

Combined open surgical and endovascular procedures for peripheral arterial disease

Treatment of neurosurgical vascular conditions

The Medical Center’s decision to develop a hybrid OR was initially driven by the exponential growth in the needs of Vascular Surgery and new developments in Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Herbert Dardik, former Chief of Surgery and Vascular Surgery and now Chief of Vascular Surgery, stressed the role of minimally invasive endovascular procedures that require optimal visualization with modern imaging, combined at times with the capability to perform open surgical procedures. These include such procedures as endovascular aneurysm repair and thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair.

Playing an instrumental role in helping to make the Hybrid OR a reality is Dr. Dardik who, together with the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, helped to secure a major gift from friend and former patient Mr. Ronald Lefcourt. Mr. Lefcourt, whose history of philanthropic giving stems from the excellent patient care delivered to his late wife, Helen, is a strong supporter of Englewood Hospital. In honor of his continued generosity, the Hybrid OR has been named “The Ronald and Helen Lefcourt Hybrid OR.” A formal ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating his gift and the opening of the Hybrid OR is scheduled for April 24th at 4:00 pm.

For more information on the Hybrid OR, visit www.EnglewoodHospital.com  or call the Department of Surgery at 201-894-3989.