Joan Endyke: Save on health costs with the help of a dietitian Sep 16, 2009
She discontinued her cholesterol medication (cost savings: approximately $54,000 over her lifetime) and decreased the risk of future costs cardiac surgery, specialist appointments, hospital stays and rehabilitation care. Joan Endyke is a registered dietitian with a master s degree in nutrition and food science, and also a certified personal trainer. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Wake up: Hospitals must change culture to lower exhaustion risks Sep 10, 2009
By using statistical process control monitoring - used to evaluate information such as mortality rates in intensive care, outcomes from procedures and adverse events such as infections in cardiac surgery, cardiology and orthopaedics - hospitals can clearly see when things are going wrong. Results can be plotted on graphs and presented at medical meetings so the performance of individual practitioners and the hospital can be compared against internal, national and international standards. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Patient, 76, with self-contained artificial heart dies Sep 2, 2009
In a separate statement, Mark B. Anderson, chief of cardiac surgery at the hospital, said the patient, while understanding the gravity of his condition, was deeply committed to the advancement of this technology and medicine as a whole. Anderson said the experience would help other heart patients. (Boston Globe)
Dallas Physician Elected to Lead International Organ Transplant Society Aug 22, 2009
Currently, he serves as the principal investigator for 10 clinical research projects where he is investigating new techniques in organ transplantation and cardiac surgery. Baylor is one of only a few hospitals in the nation whose surgeons and physicians on the medical staff have performed more than 8,700 transplants, making Baylor one of the largest multi-specialty transplant centers in the country. (PR Newswire)
Piedmont, Emory file to block Gwinnett open heart program Aug 19, 2009
"Numerous studies have shown that quality is higher and mortality rates are lower when hospitals perform high volumes of open-heart procedures. The state s decision in July lacks consideration of the highly specialized nature of cardiac surgery and that this service should not be available in every community, but rather should be offered on a regionalized basis.". Emory argues Gwinnett Medical Center's approval to start an angioplasty program has "received very little publicity or fanfare thus... (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Mount Sinai Medical Center improves in Q2 Aug 18, 2009
It had strong volume in cardiac surgery, gastroenterology procedures and emergency room visits. However, the hospital s expenses increased by$4 million compared to last year s second quarter, as it had a 12. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Doctors: Health reform may not lead to healthier Americans Aug 16, 2009
"Rates of cardiac surgery are lower in Canada, yet they have better outcomes.'' There is hope, too, for "accountable care'' groups that would move away from fee for service payments but be held accountable for keeping all their patients as healthy as possible, said Stephen Shortell, dean of school of public health at UC Berkeley. Shortell is also pleased that the health legislation being discussed in Washington includes billions for disease prevention and health promotion. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Additional Clinical Trial to be Conducted for KYNAPID Under FDA Special Protocol Agreement Aug 11, 2009
In addition, positive top-line results from ACT 2, evaluating KYNAPID for the treatment of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery, were announced in June 2007. Astellas also conducted an open-label safety study, or ACT 4, in order to gather additional safety data. (PR Newswire)
Centra earns two national awards for using information technology to deliver excellent patient care Aug 8, 2009
In May, for the third year in a row, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has awarded Centra a three-star rating--its highest rating for quality in cardiac surgery. Only 10 percent of the hospitals across the country participating in the analysis of national data were awarded the three-star ranking for cardiac surgery performance. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Blood Transfusions Not Linked to Long-Term Problems Aug 4, 2009
FRIDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Receiving a blood transfusion for low-risk cardiac surgery doesn't appear to increase one's chances of having long-term health problems, an Australian study has found. In the study of 1,062 people who required a transfusion before, during or after the minor heart surgery, more than 80 percent of the patients were still alive a decade after the procedure, according to the results published in the August issue of Anesthesiology. (MEDLINEplus)
Rapid City's Heart Doctors deny age discrimination Aug 3, 2009
Dr. James Oury filed the complaint in federal court in Rapid City seeking back pay and other financial damages of at least 75,000 and reinstatement to his position as director of cardiac surgery at the hospital. According to the lawsuit, Oury was fired without explanation and replaced by a younger doctor with less experience and denied the chance to be rehired because of his age. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Blood Transfusions Associated With Infection Aug 1, 2009
The researchers sought to assess hospital variation in blood use and outcomes in cardiac surgery patients, to see if unnecessary blood transfusions may be putting the safety of some patients at risk ... Hospital variation in transfusion and infection after cardiac surgery: a cohort study. (Science Daily)
Callaway grad was victim of fatal crash Jul 31, 2009
Moore relocated to Montgomery about 15 years ago, where he worked as a perfusionist - someone who operates a heart and lung machine during cardiac surgery - for a medical group at Baptist Medical Center South. He left behind a close-knit family in several states, including four brothers, two children, two stepchildren and several grandchildren. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Does blood transfusion harm cardiac surgery patients? Jul 31, 2009
Does blood transfusion harm cardiac surgery patients ... This investigation was designed to assess hospital variation in blood use and outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. (BioMed Central)
Remarks by president during health care reform town hall Jul 25, 2009
I just came from the Cleveland Clinic where I toured the cardiac surgery unit, met some of the doctors who are achieving incredible results for their patients. There's important work being done there as well as at the University Hospitals and MetroHealth. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
O Canada! What a health care system! Jul 24, 2009
Alberta Health's Web site lists the following surgery wait times: 15 months for hip replacement, 15 months general surgery, 13 months for knee replacement, three months for cardiac surgery and 13 months for an MRI scan. According to the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Agency faces tough decision on hospital's cardiac surgery application Jul 23, 2009
The state Health Department has scheduled a public hearing Friday on St. John Medical Center s application to perform non-emergency cardiac surgery ... It makes it very difficult for smaller hospitals to become certified for non-emergency cardiac surgery. (Longview Daily News, WA)
NURSE’S NOTES - Aortic dissection requires urgent care Jul 22, 2009
Sharon Welsh, RN, BSN and CVRN, and Carolyn Bellamah, FNP, are in the cardiac surgery program at the International Heart Institute at St. Patrick Hospital. Name. (Missoulian, MT)
Eliminating polio requires global, coordinated effort -- Health Affairs article highlights risks, rewards of eradication Jul 14, 2009
1154 MARKETWATCH: Outlier Payments For Cardiac Surgery And Hospital Quality High quality of care is strongly associated with low rates of compensatory payments for cardiac surgery. Onur Baser, Zhahoui Fan, Justin B. Dimick, Douglas O. Staiger, and John D. Birkmeyer. (EurekAlert!)
Former GE CEO Welch hospitalized with infection Jul 14, 2009
State health investigators said Thursday they found no health violations in an inspection of Saint Agnes Medical Center following an infection outbreak last year in the hospital's cardiac surgery unit. Inspectors "were unable to substantiate any health violations took place," said Kathleen Billingsley, deputy director for the Center for Health Care Quality at the California Department of Public Health. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Tips in Caring for Aging Parents an... Jul 8, 2009
A December 2003 article in Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal entitled The immediate effects of deep breathing exercises on atelectasis and oxygenation after cardiac surgery demonstrated significant decreases in atelectasis after deep breathing exercises. Interestingly enough, the results of the above study were the same whether or not special equipment was used, so if it is raining or the elder is unable to go outside, playing an imaginary bubble game may be just as effective for lung health. (Suite101.com)
American Society of Anesthesiologists Releases Following Statement Related to Media Inquires Regarding Michael Jackson's Death Jul 4, 2009
Without advances in anesthesia many surgical procedures, such as transplants, cardiac surgery and brain surgery, would not be as. advanced as they are currently. (PR Newswire)
WuXi PharmaTech Appoints Felix Hsu as Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations Jun 22, 2009
He has broad experience as a product manager and business leader, serving as Director of Heart Valve Worldwide Marketing; Vice President of Business Excellence; Vice President of Cardiac Surgery for Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong; and Vice President of Supply Chain Integration based in Minneapolis. Prior to working at Medtronic, he served in product management, sales management, and strategic planning roles at Abbott Laboratories and as a business manager at Sabratek. (PR Newswire)
Preoperative Briefing Improves Communication, Reduces Errors May 27, 2009
ScienceDaily (May 27, 2009) A short, preoperative team briefing prior to cardiac surgery where each person on the team speaks improves communication and reduces errors and costs, according to a pilot study conducted at Mayo Clinic ... The observer was a medical student who was familiar with cardiac surgery and trained to record errors and flow disruptions ... 21, 2008) Some patients who received beta-blockers before and around the time of undergoing non-cardiac surgery appear to have higher... (Science Daily)
Profit down, Medtronic to slash at least 1,500 jobs May 20, 2009
The company said it recorded a $27-million restructuring charge cut in connection with the job cuts, which are aimed at streamlining operations for underperforming units, such as cardiac surgery. About 400 employees already have accepted buyout offers and will leave the company by the end of the month. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
The How of Happiness May 9, 2009
If you are having serious cardiac surgery and receive strength and comfort from your religious faith, you ll be almost 3 times more likely to be alive 6 months later. 47 percent of people who report attending religious services several times a week describe themselves as very happy, versus 28 percent of those who attend less than once a month. (Slate)
CPAP Therapy Boosts Cardiac Surgery Outcomes May 8, 2009
The study, published in the May issue of Chest, included 232 cardiac surgery patients who received standard postoperative treatment -- including 10 minutes of CPAP every four hours -- and 236 patients who received prophylactic CPAP for at least six hours after surgery ... The findings suggest that CPAP may be a useful tool to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in patients recovering from cardiac surgery, the researchers concluded. (MEDLINEplus)
Gene Test Determines Risk Of Heart Surgery Complications May 8, 2009
Anja Haase-Fielitz et al. Decreased Catecholamine Degradation Associates with Shock and Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery ... 21, 2008) Some patients who received beta-blockers before and around the time of undergoing non-cardiac surgery appear to have higher rates of heart attack and death within 30 days of their surgery, according. (Science Daily)
Cardica Q3 loss narrows, alternatives eyed May 5, 2009
"While we continued to make progress during our fiscal third quarter with physicians and hospitals with our PAS-Port and C-Port Anastomosis Systems, the unpredictable pace of market adoption and the difficult financing environment required that we further cut expenses through two reductions in force since Jan. 1 in order to conserve our cash resources," said CEO Dr. Bernard A. Hausen, M.D. "We also took an important step to expand beyond the field of cardiac surgery and into additional surgical... (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Local briefs: Pregnant women's car rammed May 2, 2009
The second floor has an endovascular surgery suite, cardiac surgery rooms and four cardiovascular imaging suites and 20 beds. The third floor has 38 mother/baby rooms. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Health & Fitness File 4-22 Apr 29, 2009
ROBOTIC CARDIAC SURGERY: Presented by Dr. Saqib Masroor, a cardiothoracic surgeon. Learn about minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery, who may be a candidate and what to expect when undergoing these procedures. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Double-lung Transplants Work Better Than Single For Long-term Survival Apr 29, 2009
28, 2009) Having both lungs replaced instead of just one is the single most important feature determining who lives longest after having a lung transplant, more than doubling an organ recipient's chances of extending their life by over a decade, a study by a team of transplant surgeons at Johns Hopkins shows. The finding is potentially controversial, researchers say, because there is already a shortage of organ donors, and more widespread use of bilateral lung transplants could nearly halve the... (Science Daily)
Ten mantras for a long life Apr 18, 2009
(By: Dr. Y.K. Mishra, Director Cardiac Surgery, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Ltd, New Delhi ). Text. (India Times, India)
MGH halts apediatric program Apr 17, 2009
Massachusetts General Hospital has suspended its pediatric cardiac surgery program after two babies recently suffered serious complications following errors made during open-heart surgery ... And, Manning added, cardiac surgery can be lucrative and prestigious for hospitals, making the programs especially desirable ... General put in place special monitoring for pediatric cardiac surgery. (Boston Globe)
Letter From the Editor: What We Can't Live Without Apr 16, 2009
An Atlanta specialist in robotic cardiac surgery has set up an Internet-based college to teach his high-tech procedure to other surgeons. Salter also reports on a "sophisticated online crowd-sourcing tool that demonstrates the potential of the Web to transform the way all kinds of diseases are diagnosed," and a robot that allows experts to treat patients hundreds of miles away. (FastCompany)
Omega-3s Help People Having Cancer Surgery Apr 14, 2009
Reynolds said: We do not expect these findings are unique to cancer surgery, and similar benefits may accrue to patients needing complex surgical care for non-cancer problems, for instance liver transplantation or major cardiac surgery. . (Newsmax)
Hebrew University professor's work leads to FDA approval for product Mar 27, 2009
For use in pediatric cardiac surgery ... Jerusalem, March 25, 2009 A material developed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that is designed to prevent adhesions (scar tissue) following surgery has led to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a product for use in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
On-X takes competitors spot Mar 24, 2009
On-X s move to double its manufacturing space comes in response to an increased demand for its products in the cardiac surgery and orthopedic markets, Baker said. The company has been growing at about 15 to 20 percent during the last five years, Baker said. (Austin Business Journal, TX)
UMC, D.C. hospital partner for child's surgery Mar 24, 2009
Jonas is chief of cardiac surgery at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. That hospital has entered into a partnership with UMC's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, whose aim is to build its own pediatric heart surgery staff and become a regional center for open-heart surgery. With his surgical team, Jonas, a former Harvard Medical School professor and native of Australia, will help Batson develop the program and recruit staff. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Portsmouth Regional Hospital CEO to retire Mar 17, 2009
Specialty services introduced include cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, infectious disease service, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, a hospitalist program and family medicine. Existing services improved include OB/GYN, orthopedics, oncology, pathology, radiology, and anesthesia services. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
More about Dr. Lawrie Mar 5, 2009
Dr. Gerald Lawrie, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston, holds the Michael E. DeBakey Chair in Cardiac Surgery at The Methodist Hospital ... Dr. Gerald Lawrie, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Methodist DeBakey Heart lar Center in Houston, holds the Michael E. DeBakey Chair in Cardiac Surgery at The Methodist Hospital. (KHOU.com, TX)
Pelak joins board of Morrisville company Feb 21, 2009
"Dan has a long history as a senior executive in the medical device industry, garnering multiple successes in growing young companies and managing corporate operating divisions," said Mardil co-founder Dr. Jai Ramon, a professor of surgery and director of adult cardiac surgery and cardiothoracic surgical research at the University of Chicago. "He has a wealth of experience commercializing cardiac devices, and we look forward to adding someone with Dan's background to our board.". (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Chicago BioMedicine restructuring focuses on coherence Feb 20, 2009
The Medical Center has long led the way in complex care, often providing intricate lifesaving procedures that few other institutions could match such as multiple organ transplants, innovative cardiac surgery and cutting-edge clinical trials for cancer. Some of the reductions are based on how units fit within the mission of providing the highest level of complex care; other decisions stem more directly from declines in patient volume as a result of the national and local economic downturn. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
Gender Affects Outcome of Heart Valve Surgery Feb 19, 2009
"We believe the present study will help to more accurately describe the long-term results after valve replacement surgery for women and men, especially in an era where more women than ever are being referred for cardiac surgery.". SOURCE: Heart, February 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Health news briefs Feb 18, 2009
" Free. Call (800) SCRIPPS.Family fitness fun walk being offeredOCEANSIDE ---- Meet Carl Grubbs, gold medal Senior Olympian and fitness coach, during a free family fitness fun walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Oak Riparian Park, 4625 Lake Blvd. Grubbs will talk about how to improve upper body strength and flexibility while walking on a course set up for all ages and athletic abilities. Bring light hand weights, two 16-ounce water bottles and stretch bands. Leashed dogs welcome. Call (760) 941-1562... (North County Times)
Emory Crawford Long Hospital gets name change Feb 17, 2009
The hospital is known for services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, cancer, gastroenterology, emergency medicine and weight management. Women s services include prenatal and postnatal education, bone density testing, mammography and obstetrics, with a specialization in high-risk pregnancy. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
What Would You Do If Your Doctor Said Your Fetus Had a 1 in 6 Chance of Being Born With Down Syndrome? Feb 16, 2009
Pretty soon they were focusing on preparing for Theo and for the cardiac surgery that would come soon after his birth. They built an addition on their house, where Gail's mother now lives, but someday the space will be for Theo. (Boston Globe)
healthbriefs Feb 15, 2009
Marathon runner John Spangler, who had lifesaving cardiac surgery at Scripps Encinitas after running the Rock 'n Roll Marathon, will also be on hand. The Crossings is at 5800 The Crossings Drive. (North County Times)
A Matter of Choice Feb 14, 2009
The burning desire to start something on his own that prompted him to take the responsibility as a Director and Chief Coordinator, Cardiac Surgery at Max Devki Devi Heart & Vascular Institute after that. These are just few examples of doctors who planned to migrate to private hospitals for varied reasons. (Express Healthcare Management)
State Capitol Briefs, Monday, Feb. 9 Feb 10, 2009
CARDIAC SURGERY SURVIVAL RATES UP Adults who undergo cardiac bypass or coronary artery blockage surgery in Massachusetts are more likely to survive than they were five years ago, according to new data released Sunday. In FY 07, Bay State hospitals admitted 14,063 patients on whom at least one percutaneous coronary interventions, the insertion of a catheter and balloon to unblock an artery, was performed. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Statins Help Prevent Delirium After Heart Surgery Feb 7, 2009
FRIDAY, Dec. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly patients who take cholesterol-lowering statins before cardiac surgery may lower their chances of having postoperative delirium, a new study finds ... Statins have been shown to lower morbidity and mortality rates after cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery in previous studies and to offer the central nervous system protection from injury, the researchers noted. (MEDLINEplus)
Lung Transplant Outcomes Better at High-Volume Hospitals Feb 7, 2009
"Our findings do not mean that only high-volume centers should perform lung transplantation," lead investigator Dr. Eric Weiss, a postdoctoral research fellow in cardiac surgery, said in the news release. "But it does mean that patients should consider consistently high volumes when evaluating their choices of where to have their transplant done, and it does mean that lower-volume centers really do need to learn from the higher-volume hospitals, taking a careful look at what they are doing right... (MEDLINEplus)
Gender Matches Benefit Heart Transplants Feb 7, 2009
"Heart size would seem to be the most obvious factor; beyond that, no one knows why sex matching is important to transplant survival," study first author Dr. Eric Weiss, a postdoctoral research fellow in the cardiac surgery division at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions, said in an American Heart Association news release. "In clinical transplantation, we generally don't assume that organs from male and female donors have inherent differences affecting long-term outcomes, but our... (MEDLINEplus)
With Angioplasty, More Is Better Feb 7, 2009
The Johns Hopkins researchers analyzed data on 5,737 male and female heart attack patients who had emergency, so-called primary angioplasty at 31 U.S. community hospitals with no on-site cardiac surgery backup. The analysis showed that patients treated at hospitals that performed 83 or more emergency angioplasty procedures a year had the lowest death rate (2. (MEDLINEplus)
