YRMC unveils trio of new surgical suites

Yuma Regional Medical Center unveiled something on the "cutting edge" Wednesday.

That's how the hospital publicized its official unveiling of its three new surgical suites, which are a major part of YRMC's ongoing $58.6 million construction project.

Hospital leaders say the new suites are great news for Yuma not only because of their top-line equipment and capabilities, but also because much-needed services will finally be available locally. The biggest impact will be made by the suites' new Heart Center.

"Our heart patients will no longer have to make the trek to Phoenix," said Mary Jane Holly, director of Surgical Services. "It feels great to be able to provide a service our community really needs."

Holly stressed that such convenience is no small matter when a patient is no longer faced with travel following major heart surgery. She said being able to provide heart surgery now will also provide greater continuity of care for heart patients.

In all, 5,200 square feet has been added to YRMC's surgical department, with each of the new suites being about 740 square feet each. The cost for the suites project, including equipment, is $6.3 million.

The Heart Center, Holly said, is expected to be ready for surgeries the first week of October. Open-heart surgeries, however, will not be performed until January 2004.

By this winter, a total of five surgical suites will be on-line. This will include a room dedicated to cystoscopy, which involves urological examination. In all the surgical areas will include: heart, urology, orthopedic, vascular and general surgery.