Same-Day Discharge after Thoracic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center

Streamlined care protocols, continual process improvement and Ion adoption deliver superior outcomes and quick discharge

Thanks to numerous innovations, process enhancements and efficiencies, thoracic surgery patients at Hackensack University Medical Center typically return home the same or next day following lung surgery—with outcomes that surpass other centers.

“We are continually working on process improvements that optimize outcomes, limit resource utilization, streamline care and minimize the amount of lung tissue removed during our procedures,” said Hackensack University Medical Center Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Nabil P. Rizk, M.D. “As a result, 80 to 90 percent of our patients go home the same day or the day after surgery, and our length-of-stay and other outcomes are significantly better than other leading centers nationwide.”

To achieve these results, Dr. Rizk said his team is constantly focused on the quality measures that promote a safer, faster recovery and help patients improve overall. They also embrace technology in the OR for more accurate and efficient care, including the Ion system.

Ion enables thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists to navigate the lung through a network of narrow and delicate airways to access hard-to-reach nodules. The minimally invasive, robotic-assisted tool can help thoracic surgeons identify lung cancers earlier and more accurately when compared to other biopsy techniques, allowing patients to start effective treatment sooner and obtain better outcomes.

The Ion system combines computed tomography data and robotic-assisted surgical technology to facilitate and expedite access to these nodules. The entire procedure is performed through bronchoscopy, without the need for any external surgical incisions.

Learn more about innovations in pulmonology and lung surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.