ROME– AdventHealth Redmond has begun using a robotic bronchoscopy system designed to help physicians biopsy small, hard-to-reach lung nodules.

In a Friday announcement, the hospital said it performed its first procedure with the Ion platform on Aug. 26. At the same time, AdventHealth Redmond reopened its lung nodule clinic.

Together, the additions expand diagnostic services for patients across Northwest Georgia.

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform allows physicians to guide a thin, flexible catheter through the lungs. In addition, its design provides added stability and reach in peripheral airways, where some nodules can be difficult to access.

“Ion represents a significant advancement in our ability to diagnose lung abnormalities earlier and with greater precision,” pulmonologist Dr. Bret Stysly said.

Stysly said combining the technology with the lung nodule clinic should help patients receive timely evaluations and plan their next steps closer to home.

How the Ion Procedure Works

Before a procedure, the system uses a patient’s CT scan to create a three-dimensional map through the lungs. Then, with the patient under general anesthesia, the physician moves the catheter through the mouth and airways toward the nodule.

Once the catheter reaches its target, the physician stabilizes it and passes a biopsy tool through the catheter. Laboratory specialists then examine the tissue sample for cancer, infection, or another condition.

The manufacturer, Intuitive, says the platform assists physicians with navigation. However, the system does not make a diagnosis or replace a physician’s clinical judgment.

In some cases, the hospital said physicians may complete the biopsy and lymph-node staging during the same anesthesia event. As a result, that approach could shorten the process between finding a suspicious nodule and developing a treatment plan.

Lung Nodule Clinic Coordinates Evaluation

The American Thoracic Society describes a lung nodule as a round area that appears denser than normal tissue on a CT scan. In many cases, scar tissue, a healed infection, or an airborne irritant causes the nodule.

However, a nodule can also represent an early lung cancer. The organization says fewer than 5% of all nodules prove cancerous, and most patients with nodules do not need biopsies.

Therefore, physicians consider a nodule’s size, appearance, growth, and the patient’s risk factors before recommending the next step. At AdventHealth Redmond’s clinic, patients can work with physicians and an experienced nurse practitioner to develop a care plan.

In addition, the clinic can share that plan with the patient’s primary care physician. Hospital officials said some patients with small nodules previously faced repeat imaging or referrals for other biopsy methods.

The Ion system adds another option when a physician determines that a tissue sample is necessary.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

The National Cancer Institute estimates 229,410 new lung and bronchus cancer cases and 124,990 deaths nationwide during 2026. It also reports that doctors diagnose 23.7% of those cancers while the disease remains localized.

Five-year relative survival reaches 65.5% for localized disease, compared with 10.5% after cancer spreads to distant sites. Those figures describe large populations and cannot predict an individual patient’s outcome.

Still, they underscore the importance of evaluating suspicious findings promptly.

Like other bronchoscopic biopsies, Ion procedures carry potential risks. The American Cancer Society lists bleeding, infection, medication reactions, and a rare chance of a collapsed lung among possible complications.

Therefore, patients should discuss the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives with their physicians.

For more information, AdventHealth Redmond’s official phone directory lists the Lung Clinic at 706-368-8880.