MOULTRIE, Ga. — With Breast Cancer Awareness Month right around the corner, Colquitt Regional Medical Center recently announced the purchase of a new, radar-based technology, dubbed SAVI SCOUT.

SCOUT was developed to make the surgical process easier and more comfortable for women, while helping surgeons remove problematic cells and spare as much breast tissue as possible, according to a press release from the hospital. Colquitt Regional is the first hospital in the region to implement this system, which will help to reduce the cost of care, while providing better outcomes for healthcare providers and their patients, the hospital said.

“Adding SCOUT technology is a huge win for our patients,” said Vice President of Patient Services Dena Zinker, MSN, RN. “SCOUT was designed to not only assist surgeons, but to also give patients more dignity and comfort during what can be a very worrisome time.”

Most women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancers today choose to have breast conserving treatment (BCT) rather than mastectomy, the hospital said. BCT focuses on removing only the tumor, allowing you to keep your healthy breast tissue.

With SCOUT, the wire-free localization helps increase surgeons’ ability to precisely locate tumors during surgery, which increases the probability of complete cancer removal. This may even eliminate or reduce the need for a second surgery.

The traditional process for marking non-palpable tumors (those that cannot be felt) requires inserting a hooked wire into the tumor the morning of surgery. Because the wire sticks out from the breast, patients must restrict their movement to keep from shifting the marker. This wire is typically placed early in the morning by a radiologist, then the patient must wait until the surgeon can perform the operation. This process can often take hours.

The SCOUT system works by placing a reflector, about the size of a grain of rice, into the tumor. The patient cannot see or feel the reflector and can continue with normal activities. The reflector remains passive until the day of surgery, when it is activated by the surgeon to locate the tumor.

With SCOUT wire-free localization, you are not required to have two procedures on the same day. This is more convenient for patients and reduces anxiety. The ability to place the SCOUT reflector up to 30 days before surgery uncouples the radiology and surgery schedules, which has the potential to significantly reduce Operating Room start time delays. 

“Conceivably, you could have the device placed, go on a previously scheduled vacation, and come back for surgery with no problem at all,” said Director of Radiology David Spence.

 “We are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, and with SCOUT, we have the potential to decrease long patient wait time on day of surgery,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “For a device so small, it is making enormous impacts on how we continue to provide exceptional care.”