Special to IFN

Piedmont HealthCare and Iredell Health System recently celebrated a significant milestone in their joint efforts to enhance preventive healthcare.

Together, the organizations have marked the 100th case using the Ion Endoluminal System – a cutting-edge robotic technology designed to screen and detect lung cancer early, offering hope and advanced care close to home.

The Ion Endoluminal System, purchased by Iredell Health System and housed at Iredell Memorial Hospital, is utilized by Piedmont HealthCare’s Dr. Enrique Ordaz and Dr. Vishal Patel from Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. It has been an invaluable addition to respiratory care since its introduction in July 2023. This innovative technology enables physicians to reach previously inaccessible areas of the lung, allowing for more precise and timely diagnoses that enhance patient care and improve outcomes.

“Reaching our 100th case with the Ion System is a significant milestone for Dr. Enrique Ordaz and me,” Patel said. “Having this system available locally means we can provide specialized respiratory care in our own community, offering patients timely and precise diagnoses close to home.”

“I recall vividly when the pulmonologists requested and advocated for Iredell obtaining this advanced diagnostic service, which is not available in many nonacademic hospitals,” said John Green, president & CEO of Iredell Health System. “Reaching 100 patients so quickly shows that the need absolutely exists here and we are so pleased to see this high-tech care stay local. This is an excellent example of our ongoing mission to keep healthcare in our community.”

The milestone reflects the dedication of both Piedmont HealthCare and Iredell Health System to improving preventative healthcare and early cancer detection.

LEARN MORE

For more information on the advanced respiratory care services offered by Dr. Enrique Ordaz and Dr. Vishal Patel, visit Piedmont HealthCare Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine or call 704-838-8240. For information on Iredell Health System, visit https://www.iredellhealth.org. For details on the specifics regarding the Ion Endoluminal System visit www.intuitive.com/ion.

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