Robotic Surgery Program Designated as Total Program Observation Site

With more than 15 years’ experience in advanced robotic surgery, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence has been elevated to a Total Program Observation (TPO) site. The designation is in partnership with Intuitive Surgical, the global leader in soft tissue robotic-assisted surgery and manufacturer of the da Vinci robot. The Institute for Surgical Excellence is the only location in the state identified as a TPO, and one of only a few nationwide.

“This demonstrates clinical expertise, operational expertise and executive alignment with a focus on the development and innovation of a world-class [robotic surgery] program,” says James Miller, Senior Vice President, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, and Regional President, Jefferson Health–Lehigh East Region.

About 100 Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence surgeons have performed more than 42,000 procedures on 18 robots at eight da Vinci locations across 13 specialties, says Miller, making the Institute “a leader in robotic surgery both from a quantity and quality standpoint.”

TPO provides doctors and clinicians with opportunities to observe and learn from Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence’s multidisciplinary robotic surgery experts.

“This program recognizes us as a leader in robotic surgery and an institution that is actually training other surgeons to do robotics,” says Michael Pasquale, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, and System Chief, Jefferson Health Perioperative Services.

“It helps educate our current and future providers … demonstrating our excellence and commitment to recruit and retain top talent [while staying] on the leading edge of innovation,” Miller adds.

TPO designation provides capital and foundational peer-shared insights into critical components of robotics program management to drive value, growth and sustainability. Most importantly, it enables Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence to further advance the specialty and provide better patient care.

“More surgeries have been performed on Intuitive’s system than on any system globally, demonstrating improved patient outcomes, quicker recoveries, less complication and sooner return-to-normal functioning versus open or laparoscopic surgery,” Miller says.

“Robotic procedures allow us to realize better outcomes in our patients – less pain and quicker return to activity. It’s getting ‘you back to being you’ quicker,” explains Dr. Pasquale, noting that TPO also enables Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence to realize both efficiencies and cost savings.

Through the Intuitive partnership, the institute’s surgeons have access to the most current, groundbreaking technologies. When the company released its most advanced and integrated multiport platform, the da Vinci 5, last year, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence was one of the first centers in the world to gain access.

“Unlike previous platforms, the da Vinci 5 allows you to feel the tension of the tissue that you are working with, which is a huge step forward in robotics,” Dr. Pasquale says.

“We were the first in the region to use the latest technology in robots,” Miller adds, “all based on our known expertise in robotic surgery.”