What NGH’s new operating rooms mean for patients in Norfolk

For some patients having surgery at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH), treatment can now mean a smaller incision, less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery.

That is the patient impact behind two new Minimally Invasive Surgical Suites now open at NGH.

The project is one of the largest investments in the hospital’s history. It replaces two operating rooms that date back to 1964 and gives NGH four functional operating rooms instead of three.

More than 5,600 surgical procedures were performed at NGH last year.

Why the rooms matter

Minimally invasive surgery allows surgeons to perform some procedures through small incisions using cameras and specialized tools.

A small camera sends images from inside the body to monitors in the operating room. Surgeons use those images to see the area they are treating.

For some patients, that can mean fewer complications and less time recovering in hospital.

Dr. John Evans, Chief of Surgery at NGH, says modern surgery depends on having the right technology in the room.

“Modern minimally invasive surgery depends on advanced imaging, lighting and equipment,” Evans says.

The new suites include 4K laparoscopic technology, new surgical lights, tables and anesthesia equipment. Ceiling mounted booms bring equipment, power, suction and medical gases together in one place.

That helps keep cords, hoses and equipment off the floor. It also gives nurses, surgeons and other staff a safer and more organized place to work.

The people who use the rooms also helped design them. Surgeons and surgical staff provided input before the project was completed.

Four operating rooms instead of three

The biggest change may not be the technology.

It may be the fourth operating room.

NGH now has four functional ORs instead of three. That gives surgical teams more flexibility when planning procedures and responding to patient needs.

Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO of NGH, calls the project one of the hospital’s most important investments in surgical care.

“These new suites will support our surgical teams and strengthen our ability to provide high quality care at NGH,” Stepanuik says.

The new rooms may also help NGH compete for something every community hospital needs: skilled health professionals.

Modern operating rooms and equipment matter when surgeons and other professionals decide where they want to work.

Evans says the new suites strengthen NGH’s ability to recruit specialized surgeons to practise in Norfolk.

For patients, that could help support access to more specialized surgical care within their own community.

Care continued during construction

Rebuilding half of NGH’s operating rooms created another challenge.

Surgery still had to continue.

Construction began in February, while teams continued caring for patients in the hospital’s other operating rooms.

NGH also created a temporary emergency C-section room in the Maternal Newborn Unit so that urgent C-sections could continue while construction was underway.

Surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and other staff worked around the construction until the new rooms were ready.

Our community helped make it happen

The project was also a major community investment.

Norfolk County contributed $3 million.

The Norfolk General Hospital Foundation contributed another $1 million through its Building a Better Hospital Campaign. That money came from donors across the community.

Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin says the County wanted residents to have access to modern surgical spaces and technology in their own community.

For Sarah Muntz-Flowerday, Executive Director of the NGH Foundation, the finished rooms show donors what their support has helped make possible.

“Every person, family, business and community group that supported the Building a Better Hospital Campaign helped make these new suites possible,” she says.

“Their generosity is helping our surgical teams provide modern care for our families, friends and neighbours at their local hospital.”

Stepanuik says the hospital is deeply grateful to Norfolk County, the Foundation and every donor who supported the project.

Ready for patients

The completed suites were celebrated on September 16.

Surgeons, staff, donors, Norfolk County representatives, hospital leaders and members of the NGH Board toured the rooms and took part in a ribbon cutting.

For those who helped fund and build the project, it was a chance to see the finished rooms.

For patients, the real difference will be much more personal.

It may be a smaller incision. Less time in hospital. Access to a specialist. Or simply being able to receive the surgical care they need here in Norfolk.