Urologist/Robotic Surgery Director Dr. Erik Wallin talks to a guest about Cullman Regional’s new da Vinci Xi robotic surgery device, which has been in use at the hospital since October 2018. (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – Community leaders gathered at Cullman Regional Thursday for the hospital’s annual State of the Health System address from CEO James Clements, learning about the hospital’s current status, projects and programs.
Clements pointed to numerous signs of positive growth:
Equipment – Cullman Regional now offers robotic surgery and 3D mammography, as well as new tech for cardiac CTs and kidney stone treatment.
Capacity – The recent fifth-floor expansion increased inpatient capacity by 25 percent; the new urgent care center has taken pressure off of the emergency room, which sees approximately 45,000 patients per year.
Staff – Cullman Regional has seen substantial increases in its physician staff, as well as allied health care providers. Hospital staff also enjoy benefits like merit-based compensation, Christmas bonuses, an onsite gym and the annual Breakfast with Santa for them and their families.
Community contributions and outreach – Cullman Regional made $16 million in community contributions last year, through charity care, Medicaid, the Good Samaritan Health Clinic, community screenings and outreach, and support for local schools. The hospital also sponsored multiple heart health awareness events through the year, as well as a successful “trunk-or-treat” event at Halloween.
Finances – In 2014, Cullman Regional operated at a profit for the first time in several years, and it has continued to do so since then, increasing its margin each year to 2017, when the operating margin was more than nine percent. In 2018, the amount slipped slightly, but the operating margin was still around eight percent. From 2015 to 2018, Cullman Regional’s outstanding debt decreased from just more than $61 million to just more than $56 million, while capital expenditures during the same period increased 257 percent, from around $5 million to more than $17 million. Investments have included the fifth-floor expansion, urgent care and imaging center, upgraded equipment for the women’s center, and the da Vinci Xi surgical robot.
Online capabilities – Clements talked about interactive features of Cullman Regional’s website, which includes things such as urgent care appointment scheduling and a listing of the current ER wait time.
Clements also commended Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, the Cullman Economic Development Agency and area officials for their efforts to complete the four-lane expansion of Alabama Highway 157, which will create better access to the hospital.
da Vinci Xi surgical robot
The big hit of the day for many people was the hands-on display of a da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which was up and running for guests to try out. Visitors sat at the controls and looked into a dual eyepiece 3D monitor as they attempted to pick up, move and place tiny objects on the operating table several feet away, using fingertip controls that ran the robot's arms.
The device that everyone got to put their hands on was for demonstration. “Leo,” Cullman Regional’s actual robot, remained safely at home in the surgical area where it is used for gallbladder removal, hernia treatment, hysterectomies, prostate and kidney surgeries, and reconstructive urinary tract procedures.
Dr. Lars Erik Wallin, the hospital’s new urologist and robotic surgery program director explained that Leo has been used for around 40 procedures so far.
Wallin told The Tribune, “The device, as far as it goes for patients, is great because it allows us to do a very complex surgery through a very small incision, and that minimizes patients’ post-operative discomfort and pain from the incision and helps them get out of the hospital and recovered a little quicker.”
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