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Twitter & Surgery Experiment A Success In Denver

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Apr 14, 2009 9:10 pm US/Mountain

Twitter & Surgery Experiment A Success In Denver

Reporting
Dr. Dave Hnida
DENVER (CBS4) ― Twitter is fast becoming more than a way to simply chat over the Internet. On Tuesday at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's, Twitter was used to educate, inform and offer some comfort to a family.

CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida played the role of "Twitter Moderator" as CBS4 teamed up with the hospital to Twitter during a pediatric surgery.

"A couple of weeks ago I had no idea what a Twitter was," Hnida said. "I still am behind the technology curve."

Social networking has come a long way over the years and doctors are now learning how they can use it to help patients and their loved ones.

"I've heard a little bit about it, mostly through my kids," Dr. Steven Rothenberg from Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at PS/L said about Twitter.

On Tuesday, however, he and Sophie Flowers became part of Twitter history. Sophie's gall bladder needed to be removed and Rothenberg did it using a technique he pioneered.

Rothenberg now sees Twitter as a way to increase awareness about procedures and calm fears for parents, who can follow right along with the steps of the surgery.

"Especially with kids, it's so scary for the kids and for the families," Rothenberg said. "I think if you can provide the right kind of information it can really help everybody undergo the procedure and understand what's going on with a lot less fear and a lot more knowledge."

Sophie's parents had never even tried Twitter.

"If it's a learning process, then I'd like to learn as much information that is available," said Kregg Flowers, Sophie's father.

Rothenberg removed Sophie's gall bladder through her belly button, so there was less scarring. While he operated, Hnida "Tweeted" what was happening. Back in the waiting room, Sophie's read each of Hnida's online posts.

The surgery was a success, and also a learning experience for all.

"It's interesting to hear the things people think about," Rothenberg said. "It actually helps me because the next time I talk to a parent I'll have a better idea about what they would be curious about."

"It was relieving," said Teresa Flowers, Sophie's mother. "It was good to know."

"It was great to see Sophie's parents really happy. They were able to follow the surgery and know things were going well," Hnida said.

Those who follow CBS4 on Twitter also got to follow the surgery and ask questions ... and learn a little bit about what goes on in the operating room.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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