Markham hospital opens innovative IR suite

MARKHAM, Ont. – As part of their commitment to provide an exceptional patient experience, Oak Valley Health has completed construction on a new innovative 2,465 sq. ft. interventional radiology (IR) suite with the first in Canada GE Healthcare Allia IGS 7 system giving patients even more access to leading-edge treatments and procedures.

“We are excited to be able to offer our patients from Markham, Stouffville and Uxbridge communities and beyond, the latest technology that was designed to be minimally invasive, efficient, and reduce patient anxiety,” says Jo-anne Marr (pictured), president and CEO at Oak Valley Health. “Our community will continue to receive the highest quality of care in a comfortable, spacious and modern environment, close to home.”

Using highly advanced imaging guidance, the Allia IGS 7 will allow interventional radiologists to diagnose and treat complex and intricate cases using minimally invasive procedures.

“Oak Valley Health has leading diagnostic services and medical/surgical care focused on meeting the needs of a rapidly growing community,” says Dr. Mitesh Mehta. “IR offers patients a less painful procedure with less blood loss, lower risk of infection, and faster recovery time. With this new technology, it will allow us to see more than 2,000 patients a year, up from 1,218 patients in the past.”

As part of the IR suite redevelopment, an ultraviolet light sterilization system was installed within the ductwork, in addition to the already stringent air filtration systems found in modern hospitals. Also a first in Ontario is the use of a UV Room Disinfector, mounted at ceiling level, using smart sensors to disinfect the room after every use. The disinfector in combination with effective cleaning protocols increases confidence that we are eliminating the spread of hospital acquired infections while conducting invasive procedures.

The centrepiece of the new IR Suite is the Allia IGS 7 image guided therapy system developed by GE Healthcare. With its laser-guided mobile robotic gantry, the Allia imaging system enables patients to be precisely positioned for minimally invasive techniques. The system is ergonomic and easy to use since it can be personalized for the physician’s clinical needs, even in the most complex working positions.

“The backlog in non-urgent patient care, combined with today’s growing disease burden demands new solutions to help clinicians manage today’s evolving needs,” says Heather Chalmers, president & CEO, GE Canada. “Powered by GE Healthcare’s Edison intelligence platform, the Allia imaging system offers the first AI-driven imaging chain that may reduce radiation dose and contrast for interventional procedures. Ultimately, this will enable the team at Oak Valley Health to increase patient access and surgical capacity for the York, Durham regions.”

“Implementation of an innovative IR suite with the Allia at its core can transform the delivery of minimally invasive procedures,” says Jim Rapp, vice president and general manager, interventional imaging, North America, GE Healthcare. “The combination of advanced imaging technology with precision robotics in the hands of Oak Valley Health’s interventional radiologists means more diagnostic capabilities and added patient comfort with robust software that is designed to simplify complex procedures to optimize outcomes for patients and providers.”

The expansion to the IR suite at Oak Valley Health was made possible thanks to the gratitude and generosity of the Miller family and the important work of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.

About GE Healthcare
As a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, GE Healthcare enables clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions through intelligent devices, data analytics, applications, and services, supported by its Edison intelligence platform. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture of respect, transparency, and unyielding integrity.

About Oak Valley Health
Oak Valley Health is one of Ontario’s leading community health systems. Across our two hospitals, Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) and Uxbridge Hospital (UXB), as well as our Reactivation Care Centre (RCC), we provide high quality, patient-centred care to more than 474,000 patients each year. We offer diagnostic and emergency services and deliver clinical programs in acute care medicine and surgery, addictions and mental health, and childbirth and children’s services. We are proud to be part of the Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (EYRND OHT). Our 489 physicians, 28 midwives, over 2,900 staff and over 1,000 volunteers serve patients and families with an honoured to care mindset and are focused on delivering an extraordinary patient experience to the residents of Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Uxbridge, and beyond.