Community can peek inside operating rooms at NCMC open house

GREELEY, Colo.  (Nov. 1, 2010) — When veteran operating room nurse Bev Peratino, RN, the director of Surgical Services, toured the surgical department at North Colorado Medical Center for the first time, the facility really wowed her.

She has led surgery departments for “longer than you want to know” and said NCMC’s processes and equipment provide the most patient-safe operating rooms she’s ever visited. She believes talk of that quality has gotten around and has boosted the numbers of people coming to Greeley for surgical care.

In the last year, NCMC has recruited new, cutting-edge general surgeons to the staff and has seen a net increase in surgeries of an estimated 6 percent. For 2010, Bev estimates the hospital will see approximately 7,500 surgeries.

Bev attributes the increase to a dedicated staff of 189 people, the talented 35 surgeons who work at NCMC on a regular basis and the same high quality equipment in each operating room. 

On Saturday, Nov. 13 Bev wants to give the community a rare opportunity to see inside those operating rooms. The hospital will hold an open house from noon to 4 p.m.

During the open house, guests will see demonstrations of:

• A total knee replacement.
• A minimally-invasive surgery using the DaVinci Surgical System.
• A laparoscopic cholecystectomy, also known as gall bladder surgery.
• Simulated treatment of kidney stones through lithotripsy by blasting peppermint candies.
• The multimillion dollar endovascular suite where minimally invasive vascular surgery is performed.

“I want to share with the people of Greeley and the surrounding towns what a treasure they have,” Bev said.

Visitors can talk with surgeons about new procedures, visit five of the department’s 13 operating rooms and learn about patient-safety measures.

NCMC is located at 1801 E. 16th St. in Greeley. Visitors are invited to enter through the main facility doors off of 16th Street. Free valet service is available at this entrance.

For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/NCMC.