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ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY

Palmetto General Hospital:

Providing Faster Treatment in Cardiac and Stroke Care

BY DANIEL CASCIATO the patient. I think that's the key for a
successful implementation,” says Flynn.
Since changing the protocol for han- A willingness to work together is criti-
dling the transfer of ST-Elevation cal, says Dr. Diaz, because there are
Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients always hurdles to overcome. “Anytime
in 2005, first responders with the you try to put together a good working
Hialeah Fire Department have decreased relationship between an entity outside
door-to-balloon time to 51 minutes. the hospital, such as EMS providers, and
Working closely with Hialeah, FL- anything inside the hospital, such as the
based Palmetto General Hospital, EMS physicians, both parties have to want to
providers can activate the cath lab while work together.”
a patient who is experiencing a STEMI - Dr. Diaz adds that communication is
the most serious form of heart attack - is also important in any partnership such as
en route to the hospital. this.
As a result, the time that patient is seen “Some of our STEMI doctors have
at the hospital and intracoronary balloon Chief Patrick Flynn Dr. Mike Diaz given EKG courses or EKG tutorials to
inflation occurs has decreased from an the EMS providers,” he says. “Through
average of 2 hours and 27 minutes to 51 responders will call in a stroke alert. A this we have a better understanding of
minutes. By American Heart Association neurologist on call will then communi- patient outcome and leads to shorter what each of us is seeing because we're
standards, a STEMI must be treated with- cate with that first responder on the hospital stays,” he says. “Any time that not always seeing the same thing. Our
in 90 minutes, before the heart muscle is scene and go over the signs and symp- you can get physician knowledge out to physicians learn what they're seeing in
irreversibly damaged. This decreased toms, while making preparations to treat the field through different technologies, the field and the challenges they're hav-
door-to-balloon time has led to better the incoming patient. you can help with the triage process. Our ing, and the EMS providers learn what
patient outcomes. Flynn points out that his first respon- goal is to help EMS and first responders we’re seeing and the challenges we face
If a patient is experiencing a STEMI, ders undergo training at the University of provide better care initially in the field so in the hospital. If everyone can have the
first responders will immediately call in a Miami to learn about EKGs and troponin that the patient outcomes improve once same knowledge base when it comes to
STEMI alert, notes Fire Chief Patrick levels so they can better evaluate a they arrive at the hospital.” that, I think it streamlines things tremen-
Flynn. Since Palmetto General Hospital patient with an active myocardial infarc- One of the keys to success, according dously.”
is the only hospital in the region that is a tion (MI). This prevents any unwarrant- to both Flynn and Dr. Diaz, is the work-
recognized STEMI center, a majority of ed calls to the hospital. ing relationship between the two entities. For more information
cardiac patients are routed there. Thanks “We're not perfect, but we've become “Amazing things can happen when visit www.palmettohealth.org.
to improved protocols and radio commu- so good over the years that we're about you can get two different organizations,
nications, first responders can communi- 92% effective,” says Flynn. “This pro- such as our fire service and the hospital,
cate directly with emergency de-part- gram has been essential in improving a working together for the betterment of
ment physicians who can help make a patient's outcome. It truly has mades a
prehospital diagnosis and begin prepara- big difference.”
tion to treat the incoming patient more Dr. Mike Diaz, a cardiologist at
efficiently. Palmetto, agrees and adds that imple-
The Hialeah Fire Department has a menting any technology with the ability
similar telemedicine program in place to streamline safe and beneficial care is
with Palmetto’s Comprehensive Stroke something all hospitals should consider.
Center. The American Stroke Association “In the realm of STEMI and acute MI
recommends that qualified ischemic care, time to treatment is extremely
stroke patients receive the clot busting important,” he says. “Anytime you can
drug, tPA, within 60 minutes of their institute a program where you can
arrival to a stroke center. Over the past reduce door-to-balloon times safely, it's Specializing in Medically
four years, Palmetto’s stroke program has certainly something that the hospital and
worked with interdisciplinary special- the physicians who are taking care of the Complex Patients
ties to optimize the stroke patient path- patients should be enthusiastic about.”
way and provide timely care. Palmetto’s Dr. Diaz notes that they are fortunate Kindred Hospitals are owned by Kindred
average door-to-needle time is 30 min- to have a strong program where the door- Healthcare, Inc., a national network of Long Term
utes, while the national average is 66 to-balloon times are well below the Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH's).
minutes, says Flynn. county and national average.
Through the use of an iPad, first Kindred Hospitals provide specialized, high quality
“A program like this helps improve
care for acutely ill patients. For more than a decade,
we have fine-tuned the art of medically complex care.
Our services range from complex catastrophic
illnesses that require intensive care, post-surgical medical
T Te elem medicine rehabilitation to patients suffering from chronic diseases requiring respiratory and
T Telemetry
and Te rehabilitative therapies. Kindred Hospitals provide outcome-oriented

cost effective care for patients with a wide spectrum of
• On site and remote access to medical medical conditions.
specialists 24 4-hour/day for high risk patients
r/
Admissions to Kindred Hospitals may be
• Real time fee edback during physical recommended by physicians, acute-care hospitals,
Real time fee edback during physical

monitor

therapy to treatment regimens rehabilitation hospitals, managed care providers, case

and response es management companies or by the patient’s family.
In all cases family tours are encouraged.
• Faster interve entions to reduce ER transfers,
hospital admissions and readmissions
Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital
t:
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Learn more at plazahealth.org/telemedicine Universit Plaza www.khfortlauderdale.com www.khsfhollywood.com www.khcoralgables.com www.khthepalmbeaches.com
South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com July 2017 17