Advanced Medicine

Leaders in Care

We’ve long been associated with high-quality patient care and satisfaction. But we're also a leader in providing the most advanced medical technology and treatment options.

• We perform more surgeries than any other hospital in the Midlands, with 38 state-of-the-art operating rooms.
• We were the first hospital in South Carolina to perform microwave ablation, a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment used to destroy tumors.
• We were one of the first hospitals in the state to offer IGRT, an innovative radiation therapy that can result in higher cure rates and fewer side effects.
• We were one of the first hospitals in the state to perform single incision laparoscopic surgery, which often limits scarring, shortens recovery time and reduces postoperative pain.
• We have percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) designation which allows us to perform angioplasty to restore blood flow in someone experiencing a heart attack.
• Four state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suites support intricate diagnostic and interventional procedures, including angioplasty, to clear blocked arteries without traditional surgery or a lengthy recovery.
• Our powerful linear accelerator delivers precise amounts of radiation to even the smallest cancerous tumors to spare healthy tissue and limit side effects.
• Our cancer program boasts the region’s most experienced radiologists and pathologists devoted to curing a disease that claims more than 500,000 Americans per year.
• Since April 2013, we have been equipped with a cutting edge Electrophysiology (EP) suite that is equipped to manage and treat cardiac rhythm disorders and diseases. Since 2017, we now have two full-time dedicated EP providers.
• We were one of the first in our area to utilize an Image Guided System in neurosurgery which is a state of the art technique that allows the surgeons to target the operative site/area/tissue by using advanced medical technology.
• Leading the way in the use of new technology utilizing the da Vinci surgical system, we now provide patients with two advanced robotic minimally-invasive alternative to open surgery.
• Lexington Medical Center is the first hospital in South Carolina to implant the Abbott Confirm Rx™ insertable cardiac monitor, the world's first and only smartphone-compatible ICM designed to help doctors detect cardiac arrhythmias, including irregular heartbeats and atrial fibrillation.
• We've made accessing your health records easy with LMC MyChart. You can see and manage lab results, prescriptions, billing, immunization records, surgical history, past procedures, discharge instructions and more.

Advances in Radiology

• Computed Tomography (CT) Department
  Lexington Medical Center has a total of twelve CT scanners. We use advanced image reconstruction on our CT scans, allowing us to provide radiologists with high image quality at a lower radiation dose to the patient. We provide brain perfusion studies, CT Angiography, Coronary Angiography, Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR) and pre-surgical planning studies for the Watchman cardiac implant. CT also provides image guidance for interventional procedures in order to make a quick, effective diagnosis and treatment plan.
  
  LMC’s CT department screens patients with the appropriate history for Lung Cancer by performing Low-Dose Lung Screening exams. LMC is designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

 

• Nuclear Medicine Department
  We’ve added new equipment and technology to our Nuclear Medicine department which permits more flexibility for patient exams while maintaining quality outcomes.  Here are a few examples of our latest equipment advancements:
  
  General Electric (GE)  Discovery Nuclear Medicine 630 camera
  
  Siemens EVO Nuclear Medicine Imaging Camera
  These cameras will give us the ability to broaden the types of exams and procedures we offer to our patients.  Their advanced software technology integrates well with our image reading & storage platform (Fuji PACS), which will significantly improve workflow efficiency for our Radiologist.
  
  General Electric (GE) PET/CT scanner
  This scanner gives us the ability to perform PET/CT scans 5 days a week in our new PET/CT suite environment that is designed to make it easy and comfortable for our patients as compared to a mobile imaging setup. This scanner improves our ability to perform state of the art PET/CT imaging with less radiation exposure and in a shorter period of time. Additionally we are able to image Head to Toe PET/CT scans in one acquisition without moving the patient off the table.

 

• Radiologist
  Lexington Medical Center recently upgraded our PACS system for our radiologist. This technology allows more functionality for the radiologists and will help improve turnaround times for imaging reports to the ordering provider.

 

• Women’s Imaging Center (WIC)
  Replaced Ultrasound units with Logiq 8 from General Electric (GE). The units have elastography and other functions that optimize visualization of breast tissue and lymph nodes.  Visualization of the needle during biopsies is optimized as well as the clip placement post biopsy.
  
  The final Phase of the Foundation’s Campaign for Clarity to install Three-Dimensional (3D) Mammography across the district is complete. LMC-Lexington, LMC-Irmo, Chapin, Vista and Sandhill all have 3D technology available at their locations. Lexington Medical Center’s WIC has installed a 3D unit as well which makes the second unit for this location; our mobile unit has also been outfitted with 3D technology as well.

Radiation Oncology

• Now operating with three linear accelerators; Lexington Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology continues to offer access to the most advanced technology in the fight against cancer.  Utilizing Varian’s True Beam targeted therapy and advanced imaging (also known as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRT) cancerous targets not considered for radiation treatments are now being treated.  The same advanced technologies offered at large research facilities are being offered closer to home.

Da Vinci Surgical System

• For the dates of October 1st 2017 through September 30th 2018 there were 758 da Vinci® surgical system cases performed. LMC provides patients with an advanced robotic minimally-invasive alternative to open surgery. Of the 758 total cases which were completed using this technology 32.6% were gynecological cases, 44.3% surgical cases, and 23.1% urological cases. Both Gynecology and Urology Departments have increased their percentage of Robotic cases over the past year with the addition of new providers.

World’s Smallest Pacemaker – Micra

• Celebrating the seventh anniversary of its comprehensive cardiovascular program, Lexington Medical Center has become a leader in heart care in our community. In March 2017, LMC became the first hospital in South Carolina to implant a new wireless pacemaker called Micra to fix a slow heart beat that affects the bottom chamber of the heart. Patients with a slow or irregular heart beat that arises from a problem in the top chamber or both chambers of the heart are not good candidates for Micra. Called the world’s smallest pacemaker, this device is not visible under the skin, and because there are no wires connected to it, there is a lower risk of complications.
  
  It is the size of a vitamin capsule and is inserted through a small incision in the patient’s upper leg. From there, it’s expertly threaded through the vein and placed directly into the heart. Tiny prongs then send electrical impulses to pace the heart in a natural, healthy rhythm. Since there are no leads, the concern is eliminated about the leads shifting within the heart. Once placed, the sophisticated device adjusts the rhythm to the patient’s activity level and can keep a patient’s heart rhythm regular for about 12 years.

LMC First in the State to Implant Smartphone-Compatible Cardiac Monitor

• In 2017 Lexington Medical Center was the first hospital in South Carolina to implant the Abbott Confirm Rx™ insertable cardiac monitor, the world's first and only smartphone-compatible ICM designed to help doctors detect cardiac arrhythmias, including irregular heartbeats and atrial fibrillation.
  
  An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that develops when disease or injury disrupts the heart's electrical signals. As the heart begins to beat too fast or too slow, patients experience symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath or fainting. An electrocardiogram is the most common test used to detect arrhythmias; however, it can only identify arrhythmias that occur during an ECG. Holter monitors are portable, battery-operated recorders that track continuous electrocardiographic signals for 24 to 48 hours while patients go about their normal daily activities. Event monitors are similar to Holter monitors, but they only record the heart's activity at certain times. For long-term heart rhythm monitoring, doctors implant loop recorders. These devices require additional equipment to send a patient's heart rhythm information to his or her provider.
  
  Long-term monitoring can often detect heart rhythm abnormalities that occur infrequently. With Confirm Rx, doctors implant the monitor under the skin in the chest during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The device continuously monitors the heart for abnormal rhythms and connects to the patient's smartphone to record real-time episodes of irregular heartbeats. Bluetooth® wireless technology allows patients to track their symptoms and share their results with their provider instantly using Abbott's myMerlin™ mobile app. Physicians can remotely monitor their patients' heart rhythm and accurately diagnose arrhythmias that may require further treatment.

Pioneers in Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• Combining the latest minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of GERD with experience and research, our general surgeons are improving quality of life for those who suffer from reflux disease. The transoral incisionless fundoplication, also known as the TIF® procedure, is performed from inside the stomach by entering through the oral cavity as opposed to incisions in the abdomen. Using a separate innovative technology, a quarter-sized string of titanium-covered magnets known as the LINX® device is implanted around the outside of the esophagus to prevent stomach acid from regurgitating. Our expert surgeons consider the patient’s lifestyle, severity of the disease and the results of thorough testing to determine the best treatment plan.