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Trailblazing 3D Modeling Program Recognized with Esteemed Innovation of the Year Award

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A 3D modeling program being used in preoperative interventional radiology, cancer surgery and cardiac surgery cases at Nemours Children's Hospital (NCH) in Lake Nona was honored Thursday night by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) with The Innovation of the Year in Patient Care award during The Celebration of Service Awards Ceremony in Orlando. Click here to see a short video highlighting the technology.

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"It is an honor to receive this distinction from the Florida Hospital Association recognizing our hospital's innovative approach to how we care for our patients," said Dr. Daniel Podberesky, Radiologist-in-Chief of Nemours Children's Health System. "We are constantly looking for ways to stay cutting-edge, all the while doing a better job clinically and helping families better understand what's happening to their child."

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This is the fifth time the FHA has honored Nemours Children's Hospital with an Innovation of the Year award and the sixth year the FHA honored the hospital. The hospital opened its doors less than six years ago on October 22, 2012.

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Utilizing cutting-edge 3D modeling technology, Nemours surgeons, radiologists and proceduralists are using the only FDA-approved segmentation software to plan complex multidisciplinary cases in interventional radiology, cancer surgery, and cardiac surgery.

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The models serve as a blueprint and roadmap, allowing specialists to deliver the safest, most efficient care. By using 3D models, it is reducing procedure times and minimizing unexpected finds in the operating room. This pre-planning translates into less time for a patient in the operating room, which is a relief to families. In addition, using modified models, doctors can run simulations of the surgery and can more accurately determine the surgical supplies they will need beforehand, cutting down on waste.

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"The simulation aspect of 3D modeling is a game changer. To be able to look at a model of a tumor from all angles, without the restrictions of an image on a computer screen, is completely changing how we are planning complex surgery," said Craig Johnson, Enterprise Director, Interventional Radiology, Nemours Children's Health System and Chair of the Department of Radiology at Nemours Children's Hospital.

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Currently, the service is not reimbursable by insurance companies, yet Nemours undertakes this step on behalf of the families. Since making this offering available to patients and their families, Nemours has received great feedback. The true-to-size visualization offered by 3D models also helps educate families on procedures.

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"At Nemours, we know patient-families are an integral part of the care teams, so it's important that they feel empowered by understanding exactly what is happening to their child," said Dana Bledsoe, President of Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando. "With this offering, it is our hope that physicians - across the health system - can continue to deliver the safest care possible."

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The awards ceremony was held during the FHA's annual meeting on October 4 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.