Jennifer Knight Davis, MD, an acute care surgeon in the Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Burn, finds the most rewarding aspect of her work is the ability to provide immediate, life-saving care to patients in their most critical moments. That’s why she’s most excited for the division’s Emergency General Surgery (EGS) Program – a program that continues to set new standards in acute care surgery.
Formally started in 2022, the program provides quaternary care for complex emergency general surgeries, including for patients of the The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, and the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.
“The James and Ross Heart Hospital, as well as University Hospital, care for such complex patients,” Dr. Knight Davis says. “Our acute care surgeons in the EGS program possess the skill and experience to effectively manage unexpected surgical emergencies.”
Recently, the program has seen growth, with more than 2,000 emergency general surgeries performed in 2023, with projections indicating the team will perform more than 2,200 surgeries in 2024.
One of the noteworthy advancements in the past two years has been the incorporation of robotics into the EGS program as a tool for managing emergency general surgery cases. In 2023, the program launched 24/7 access to robotic surgery, enabling the provision of innovative surgical options at any time, day or night. This achievement has positioned the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center as a national leader in the application of robotic surgery in emergency settings.
“The integration of robotics into our emergency surgery practice has been a game changer,” Dr. Knight Davis says. “It allows us to perform highly precise, minimally invasive procedures even in the most urgent situations, greatly improving patient recovery times and outcomes. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in emergency surgery to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.”
The expertise required for handling the unexpected surgical emergencies encountered at Ohio State is unparalleled. The acute care surgeons are specially trained to manage the intricate needs of people with severe health conditions, ensuring high-quality care during critical moments. The program’s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by its robust quality improvement initiatives, which continuously seek to enhance efficiency, patient outcomes and innovative care methods.
Dr. Knight Davis and her team are driven by a shared vision of advancing the field of emergency general surgery through innovative practices and comprehensive care.
“Every day, we strive to set new standards for what can be achieved in acute care surgery,” Dr. Knight Davis says. “Our goal is to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our patients and their families.”