Maria Middelares takes another step towards becoming a 'smart' hospital with innovative robotics technology

Within the framework of the new Health Value Space Ghent, Maria Middelares is evolving into a 'smart' hospital — a forward-thinking organisation ready for the future of healthcare. The purchase of the SP (single port) robot of Intuitive, which appears for the first time in the Belgian healthcare landscape, aligns with our ambition to develop a patient-focused robotics platform.

Health Value Space Ghent (HVS) is built around three main pillars:

• stimulating scientific research and clinical studies through the clinical research centre - CRC
• delivering quality and value-based healthcare
• delivering innovative expert care.

The development of a robotics platform concretises the interplay between these strategic pillars.

‘In our operating facilities, robots prove their usefulness for various types of procedures, both for soft tissue surgeries and orthopaedic operations. With the expansion of our robotics platform, we aim to streamline the deployment of robots within our organisation to the maximum extent possible. Specifically, we always opt for the best technology combined with a thorough follow-up. Through uniform data collection (e.g. via patient questionnaires on our digital patient platform) and (big) data analysis, we are able to map out the quality of care. This allows us not only to define areas for improvement but also to continually optimise our care. Delivering value-based healthcare is our main driver.’

Chief Innovation Officer Dr Filip Ameye

The acquisition of the SP robot, a first for Belgium and one of the first in the wider European region, aligns with the third pillar. The SP robot enables more complex procedures through a single incision or natural body opening. The surgical robot design, single-port optimised instrumentation and high-definition 3D vision allow for extremely precise work. The 400 peer-reviewed publications demonstrate the safety, efficacy and excellent results of this innovative technology.

Convinced of the added value for patients and healthcare professionals , Maria Middelares decided to purchase the robot as soon as it received the CE mark for use in Europe.

‘The SP robot exemplifies our ongoing commitment to creating an inspiring work environment where technology and human expertise come together for high-level patient care. Recently, our team’s extensive efforts were rewarded: we achieved a notable position as the top Belgian non-university hospital in Newsweek's ranking of 'smart hospitals'. This ranking highlights hospitals that are committed to innovative patient-centred care through the use of telemedicine, robotics and artificial intelligence.’

Chief Medical Officer Dr Goethals

At Maria Middelares, the robot will primarily be used for more complex urological procedures on the kidney and prostate. After this brief initial period, other specialisms will also begin using the robot, as its added value has already been demonstrated for these areas as well. The first surgery with the robot will take place in May and the care team is already looking forward to it with enthusiasm.

‘Our team can rely on many years of experience with robotics and has built a strong collaboration with top American urologists who have had access to the SP robot for several years. This way, we can safely elevate our expertise to an ever higher level, using the latest technologies, all for the benefit of the patient.’

Urologist Prof Dr Decaestecker

'The SP robot extends the existing advantages of the previous generation of Da Vinci robots. Thanks to this new minimal access pathway, we can, for example, approach and treat deeper organs, such as the kidney or prostate, in an even less invasive manner. The single incision also means that the impact on the patient is reduced and the recovery process is much smoother. That’s why we are looking forward with such anticipation to the first operations in May, taking place here in Ghent.'

Urologist Dr De Kuyper