Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH) is the first hospital in Southwest Riverside County to offer life-enhancing lung care technology with the minimally invasive Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform by Intuitive.
“Temecula Valley Hospital is excited to be the first hospital in the Southwest region of Riverside County to offer the Ion, a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform for minimally invasive lung biopsy,” said Darlene Wetton, TVH Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is for all physicians and patients in our region to have access to this technology, with the objective of diagnosing lung cancer at an earlier stage and improving life expectancy of our lung cancer patients.”
During the bronchoscopy, a certified physician uses Ion’s system to navigate to the target along a pre-planned digital path. Ion’s ultrathin robotic catheter allows for advanced maneuverability, giving the physician access to navigate far into the tight airways and deepest segments of the lung.
“The Temecula Valley Hospital lung nodule program is the first of its kind in our region and will change health outcomes by improving our ability to detect, biopsy, diagnose, and treat lung cancers at an earlier stage,” said David Lee M.D., Pulmonologist and Program Director of Pulmonology Fellowship at TVH. “The Ion robot offers a minimally invasive procedure allowing us to access lung nodules in hard-to-reach areas of the lung. Combined with our robotic thoracic surgery program, patients with early-stage disease can receive expedited care with a faster recovery. Additionally, as a dedicated training program for the next generation of physicians, the ION will enable our residents and fellows to expand their training on the latest technology.”
Joe Lo Duca, Director of Business Development at TVH, added, “Our investment in Ion further compliments our robotic-assisted surgical program, which launched in 2022 with the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system and provides a more comprehensive patient experience from biopsy to surgery. Being able to provide both diagnosis and treatment options at an earlier stage, is crucial to improving outcomes for our patients.”
For further information on lung care and services at TVH, visit; SWHtemeculavalley.com/lung.
About Temecula Valley Hospital
Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH), part of Southwest Healthcare, brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents. The hospital features 140 private patient rooms; emergency care; advanced cardiac and stroke care; orthopedics; general and surgical specialties. TVH is nationally recognized for Patient Safety designated by The Leapfrog Group as a Top Hospital in both 2017 and 2020 and recently received its 11th A Grade from the Leapfrog Group for Fall 2023. The hospital was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2023-2024 for COPD. Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Stroke. TVH is a DNV Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and has received eight Women’s Choice Award Achievements as One of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care and One of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety. Other accolades include: the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Mission Lifeline® – STEMI Receiving Center – GOLD PLUS, Mission Lifeline® – NSTEMI – GOLD, Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgeries, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement, first hospital in the state of California to achieve certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service facility, 3 Star Medicare Hospital Compare Rating, the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation, the honor of the Inland Empire’s Top Workplaces 2017 and 2018, has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality Cardiac Care Facility for comprehensive heart and vascular treatment-including Cardiac Medical Intervention, Cardiac Rhythm Programs and Cardiac Surgery. For more information, please visit SWHtemeculavalley.com.
About Southwest Healthcare
Southwest Healthcare is a comprehensive network of care with five hospitals and multiple convenient ambulatory locations serving our community. With more than 7,000 skilled and talented care providers across the region, all dedicated to the highest standards, our shared goal is to provide convenient access to a wide range of healthcare services. Learn more: www.SouthwestHealthcare.com.
About Intuitive Surgical, Inc
Intuitive (Nasdaq: ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and a pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. At Intuitive, our mission statement is we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints. Intuitive brings more than two decades of leadership in robotic-assisted surgical technology and solutions to its offerings, and develops, manufactures and markets the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. Learn more: https://www.intuitive.com/en-us/products-and-services/ion