Franciscan Health acquires Ion robotic bronchoscopy technology

Patients in Chicago’s Southland now have the opportunity for earlier lung cancer diagnoses thanks to the new Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform recently installed at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.

According to the American Cancer Society, more patients die from lung cancer annually than breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer combined, accounting for around 25 percent of all cancer deaths. However, when diagnosed in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 92 percent.

Ion robotic bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows for a minimally invasive biopsy of a lung tumor. Guided by a physician, robotic bronchoscopy allows an ultra-thin catheter with a camera attached to pass through the airways to deeper segments of the lung than traditional needle biopsies, which often miss early cancer diagnoses.

“The Ion robotic bronchoscopy is yet another state-of-the-art technology offered to our patients right here in Olympia Fields,” Franciscan Health Olympia Fields President and CEO Raymond Grady said. “This cutting edge procedure is just one of many offered by our multidisciplinary team that allows our patients to receive exceptional, compassionate care with the comfort and peace of mind of being close to home.”

The efficiency of the tool helps lessen patient stress. The patient is able to get the diagnosis and the stage of the cancer right away. It saves time for the patient and allows the care team to formulate treatment more quickly, which reduces anxiety for the patient.

Bradley Coolidge, MD, a Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC pulmonologist, performed the first Ion robotic bronchoscopy at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in late September.

“The Ion robotic assisted bronchoscopy platform is state of the art technology that results in earlier diagnosis of lung cancer,” Dr. Coolidge said. “With earlier diagnosis, lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, becomes much more curable. We are truly blessed to be one of the first to be able to offer this amazing technology to the people of south suburban Chicago”.

Franciscan Health Indianapolis was the first hospital in Indiana to introduce robotic bronchoscopy in 2019. Franciscan Health Munster and Crown Point added the technology in 2022 and Franciscan Health Michigan City began offering the procedure in early 2023.

Many patients have discovered small nodules during the $49 lung scans offered through a variety of Franciscan Health locations. These routine, non-invasive scans have proven helpful in discovering early-stage cancers that are diagnosed and staged through robotic bronchoscopy. To schedule a lung scan, please call (833) 238-0688.

To learn more about Ion robotic bronchoscopy or to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Coolidge’s office at (708) 983-6060.