Patrick Cambier, M.D., an Interventional Cardiologist at Medical Center of Trinity (at left), and Jeff Suchan, R.C.I.S., lead technician in the hospital’s cardiac catherization unit, next to the new coronary robotic system.

Since opening in 2012, Medical Center of Trinity has been committed to adding new technologies to care for patients from admission through discharge, with a goal of never needing to transfer a patient to another hospital. “This has always been a destination health care center, and not a stopping off point to another hospital,” said Mary Sommise, director of marketing at Medical Center of Trinity. “We are continually adding new diagnostic tools, innovative treatments and new service lines that keep our hospitalat the very highest level of patient care.”

Heart and vascular care is an area the hospital has invested in heavily, most recently with a new robotic system that helps guide physicians during coronary/peripheral angioplasty, a surgery that opens blocked arteries. During angioplasty, a cardiologist uses a joystick to connect to the robot that allows the doctor to “see” inside the artery as he moves a stent forward, millimeter by millimeter, until it reaches the blockage. The physician then puts the stent in place, opening the artery and restoring blood flow.

“We are proud to be the first medical center in the Tampa Bay region to adopt robotic-assisted technology for our coronary and peripheral interventions program,” said Leigh Massengill, chief executive officer of Medical Center of Trinity. “It truly emphasizes our continuous commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology to our patients and clinical community.” Installed earlier this summer, the hospital’s cardiac catherization team works with the new vascular robot almost every day. Bobbi Altman is director of cardiac catherization, and oversees a staff of 14 nurses and techs. A nurse for 25 years, Altman has spent her entire career working with patients with blockages in their arteries who are at risk for heart attacks and strokes.

“Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in the country,” said Altman. “It is exciting to be on the cutting edge of technology, which not only prevents heart attacks, but also relieves patients of chest pain and painful leg blockages. Angioplasty surgery truly improves the quality of life for our patients.” Altman and her team conduct 1,200 cardiac catherization annually at Medical Center of Trinity, or an average of 23 procedures a week. It is one of the most vital, life-saving services the hospital offers.

This new technology provides several improvements that benefit both patients and the medical team doing the procedure, explains Patrick Cambier, M.D., an Interventional Cardiologist who
has worked at Medical Center of Trinity for several years. “Using this technology gives physicians a greater level of precision, which results in a more predictable outcome,” said Dr. Cambier. “It gives us a live, visual feed that shows us exactly where we are in the vein, confirms exact measurements to place the stent and even signals if the physician pushes too hard on tissue.” Cambier adds that the system levels the playing field, making cardiologists equally skilled by compensating for a surgeon’s age and experience. “I like to say it makes me a younger version of myself,” says Dr. Cambier. “The robot assists in a precise delivery of stents and balloons to open a blockage, including helping us get to blockages that previously could not be reached with the human hand.”
Another advantage of the system is that the physician sits apart from the X-ray source in a radiation- protected cockpit, which greatly reduces the amount of radiation the physician is exposed to.“This means we no longer need to wear a heavy lead apron to protect us from radiation during the surgery, which makes it easier on our bodies during the procedure,” said Dr. Cambier. Dr. Cambier describes Medical Center of Trinity as a hospital of the future.

“We’re located in a fast-growing area that is attracting young, professional families, including many top executives. Our vision for Medical Center of Trinity is to offer these families the best medical care possible by providing cutting edge procedures that help them stay healthy,” said Dr. Cambier. “We are the wave of the future.” Medical Center of Trinity is a 340-bed, all-private- room hospital located near the intersection of State Road 54 and Little Road. It has received an A Safety Grade from Leapfrog, and is recognized among the nation’s Top Performers on five key quality measures — heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and stroke — by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.