Baptist Health Paducah earns reaccreditation as Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery
Baptist Health Paducah introduced robotic surgery to the area more than 10 years ago
(Paducah, Ky.) Nov. 30, 2020 — Baptist Health Paducah, which introduced robotic surgery to the area more than 10 years ago, has continued the distinction as an accredited Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology since 2014 and Robotic Surgery since 2017 by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC).
Status as an accredited Center of Excellence means that Baptist Health Paducah has met and continued nationally recognized standards. Not all hospitals and surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous inspection process are granted accreditation.
Obstetrician-gynecologists Blair Tolar and Matthew Sublette, MD, have earned duel distinction as Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Gynecology. In addition, obstetrician-gynecologist Amber Savells, MD, and urologists Donald Spicer, MD, and Michael Knox, MD, earned the distinction of Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.
The robotic surgery team includes Ray Skibinski, RN, Robotic Surgery Coordinator, and surgical technologist Margaret Morrison, Robotic Team Lead.
Health care organizations and surgeons seeking accreditation by SRC undergo an extensive self-assessment and inspection. This process includes physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in the accredited program. The inspection is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization or surgeon improve its care and services.
“The SRC accreditation program fosters quality improvement in robotic surgery,” Dr. Tolar said. “Commitment to this process has focused our team on exceeding clinical benchmarks and guidelines. Most importantly, our commitment to excellence will improve the health and well-being of our patients.”
Baptist Health Paducah brought the first da Vinci surgical system to western Kentucky in 2008, and now offers some of the most precise, minimally invasive surgical procedures today with the state-of-the-art, da Vinci Xi Surgical System, allowing patients a faster recovery with less pain. The da Vinci Xi can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries in the areas of bariatrics, ENT, gynecology, urology, thoracic and general surgery.
The da Vinci seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient in an area smaller than would be required for the surgeon’s hands.
“It is an honor to receive these designations,” said Dr. Spicer, medical director of robotic surgery. “In the 12 years since Baptist Health Paducah brought robotic surgery to this area, our patients have benefitted from less invasive treatment and faster recovery. It is a win-win for our patients and the hospital.”