The field of medicine is constantly evolving, and our hospitals must evolve with it. Reimaging how surgeries can be improved for safety, time, and patient benefit is just one of the many advancements our Foundation is proud to support in our pursuit of life-enhancing care for patients on Vancouver Island.

Together with the community we care for, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation through Visions 2024 will transform surgery on the Island via two major advancements: a surgical robot and a hybrid operating room (OR), both of which will be the first of their kind on Vancouver Island.

Robotics have revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery by offering numerous advantages over traditional surgical options. Surgeons use the robotic arms to make a small and very precise incision which means reduced risk of infections, complications and quicker recoveries for patients. The surgical robots also provide a 3D magnified view giving surgeons enhanced precision at the surgical site. Surgical robots are currently being used to treat a variety of conditions including prostate, kidney, bladder, colorectal, gynecological, and heart-related operations.

The hybrid OR is the next generation of operating rooms, providing surgeons with real time access to imaging equipment while they perform surgery, bypassing the need to transport patients to imaging suites, saving critical time when a patient needs it most. The benefits of the hybrid OR include fewer complications for patients, less bleeding, greater accuracy, and more efficiency. The OR is much larger than a standard operating room which will allow for greater collaboration between care teams during surgery, especially in trauma cases where several doctors may be required to consult on a patient.

It’s time to incorporate these lifesaving and life-enhancing innovations into our local hospitals. Together with our community we can redefine the surgical landscape on Vancouver Island.