Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center is set to open its new neurointerventional suite this month which will feature biplane angiography, an advanced, minimally invasive technology used to diagnose and treat strokes as well as other neurological conditions.

“The opening of this suite highlights our commitment and investment in neurological and stroke care in our community,” said Chase Collins, Director of Neurosciences at Mercy Health – Springfield. “It’s going to greatly reduce the time to intervention. Without this suite, patients would have to be transferred to Dayton or Columbus. The biplane combined with our highly specialized providers means stroke and other neurovascular conditions can be treated right here in Springfield.”

At the heart of this new space will be a biplane camera that provides highly detailed photos of the brain and its maze of blood vessels from two distinct angles. This will help decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a neurological angiogram, or the scan that shows blood flow through arteries and veins, which allows physicians to study the brain without exposing patients to more radiation. Because it’s minimally invasive, there is also less risk of bleeding and infection as well as a faster recovery compared to traditional procedures.

The two rotating cameras are positioned on each side of the patient making it possible to capture highly detailed 2D and 3D images which will also give Mercy Health physicians a better view, making it easier to detect clots and identify aneurysms. They’ll also be able to intervene earlier with patients who are in the midst of a stroke, ensuring better outcomes for patients by possibly preventing permanent damage and minimizing the long-term disability that typically accompanies stroke.

“This technology will provide real-time images and allow our team to combine diagnosis and treatment into one procedure. This saves precious time in a situation where every second can make all the difference,” said Collins.

The opening of the new neurointerventional suite comes just four months after Mercy Health announced it was bringing on a team of providers to offer interventional neurology. Dr. Jody Short, a graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at the Western University of Health Sciences, heads up the team. He has been practicing medicine for more than two decades. Meanwhile, Michelle Caesar, APRN-CNP, is a highly skilled nurse practitioner with 25 years of health care experience who specializes in vascular neurology. Rounding out the team is Erin Jordan, APRN-CNP, a family nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in vascular neurology, neuro intervention, urgent care, intensive-care, neuro-critical care, and neuroscience.

Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center is also recognized as a Stroke GOLD PLUS achievement award winner – a distinction that spotlights a hospital’s commitment and

success ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized and researched-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Additionally, Mercy Health – Springfield partners with Ohio State Medical Center to ensure a board-certified stroke neurologist is available, 24/7.