Page 13 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS DEC 2021

2021: A YEAR IN REVIEW

Broward Health Year in Review

No one could have predicted that COVID County to offer patients with non-valvu-
would be gripping communities for a sec- lar atrial fibrillation (NVAF) an alterna-
ond straight year. While Broward Health tive to long-term blood thinners with
was at the forefront of rolling out vaccine the next-generation WATCHMAN FLX
sites and monoclonal antibody clinics Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC)
across the county, there were several addi- implant. The WATCHMAN FLX, which
tional noteworthy accomplishments for the was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
one of the nation’s 10 largest public health- Administration, may reduce the risk of
care systems. Here’s a look back at Broward stroke in patients with NVAF who need
Health’s significant moments in 2021: an alternative to oral anticoagulation
therapy.
COVID Response Stereotaxis: This global leader in
In December 2020 and moving into 2021, innovative robotic technologies for the
Broward Health led the roll-out of commu- treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has
nity, stand-up vaccine sites throughout the partnered with Broward Health Medical
county, partnering with the City of Fort Center to establish a robotic electro-
Lauderdale, InterMiami CF and the Florida Broward Health completed a $52 million expansion of the physiology robotics lab to expand access
Department of Emergency Management to to advanced minimally invasive treat-
set up a site at InterMiami CF Stadium. The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital NICU ment of heart rhythm disorders in
site vaccinated up to 2,000 patients daily. In Florida. Broward Health Medical Center
total, 115,000 vaccinations were administered. Then, along will be the only hospital in South Florida offering
with state officials, local officials, and community leaders, robotic technology to treat patients suffering from
Broward Health opened multiple mobile sites to better serve arrhythmias and is the first in Florida, and among the
Broward County’s most underserved and high-risk popula- first in the nation, to adopt the latest Genesis Robotic
tions. Magnetic Navigation system.
Broward Health was also at the forefront of administering eICU: Broward Health’s Intensive Care Units were
monoclonal antibody therapies soon after the U.S. Food and integrated with Philips eICU, the largest tele-ICU net-
Drug Administration authorized emergency use for both Eli work in the U.S., offering centralized, remote clinical
Lilly’s and Regeneron’s antibody treatments. Studies suggest- surveillance by medical professionals, proprietary algo-
ed that the new therapies reduced the risk of hospitalization rithms that provide early warnings for proactive care
and death among recently diagnosed people with elevated and continuous programmatic improvement. This
risk factors. Broward Health went on to open clinics during transformational critical care tele-ICU program pro-
the surge, transitioning patients directly from the During 2021, Broward Health expanded its Graduate vides 24/7/365 remote monitoring for the vitals of
Emergency Department to the infusion clinic to prevent Medical Education Program across all four of its hospitals. patients in ICU, using artificial intelligence to provide
unnecessary illness and free space in the ER for critically ill the best medical counsel to bedside caregivers.
patients. Integrating A/V technology, predictive analytics and
data visualization with advanced reporting capabilities
New Leadership equates to better outcomes, faster discharges and a bet-
In spring 2021, Broward County native Shane Strum ter patient experience.
assumed the role of President and CEO of Broward Health. Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS):
Strum is a recognized leader with decades of executive Broward Health utilizes the UAS, the only FDA-
experience and a 30-year legacy of public service, where he approved implantable device to combat obstructive
led initiatives that have lowered costs of prescription drugs, sleep apnea, which can lead to other health issues,
expanded telehealth services, improved transparency and including moodiness, memory loss and even stroke,
quality in healthcare, and increased awareness of mental heart attack and death. Inspire delivers a mild stimula-
health and substance abuse issues throughout the state. tion to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue
Prior to joining Broward Health, Strum was previously chief movement and prevents the tongue from blocking the
of staff to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Under his direc- For Thanksgiving, Broward Health hosted a turkey basket airway. By stimulating these muscles, the airway
tion, Broward Health has announced several milestones and distribution to underserved families. remains open during sleep. Unlike other common
initiatives in 2021. treatments, with Inspire there is no mask, no hose, and
no noise.
Capital Improvements
Broward Health completed a $52 million expansion of the Education
Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital NICU that will During 2021, Broward Health expanded its Graduate
enhance the immediate and long-term outcomes of infants Medical Education Program across all four of its hospi-
born at risk. Designated as a Level III Regional Perinatal tals as the system continues to serve the community as
Intensive Care Center, this is one of only 11 RPICC sites in an academic center of excellence in training. New train-
Florida where a comprehensive team of board-certified ing programs were launched in general surgery, internal
neonatologists, nursing specialists and pediatric specialists medicine, and emergency medicine at Broward Health
provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care for critically North and psychiatry at Broward Health Imperial Point,
ill newborns. bringing the number of programs at Broward Health to
Both Broward Health Coral Springs and Broward Health Broward Health Medical Center is among the first 13. As Broward Health North transitions to an academic
Imperial Point opened new cardiac catheterization labs and in the nation to adopt the latest Genesis hospital, the GME general surgery residency there
interventional radiology suites to provide patients with Robotic Magnetic Navigation system. allows the hospital to help fill the physician shortage
access to critical life-saving cardiac procedures close to and the critical need for doctors in the state and locally.
home. Each state-of-the art suite includes procedure rooms, pre-and-post-procedure
patient care bays, an isolation room, a room devoted to echo cardiograms, diagnostic Community Impact
stress lab stations and an expansive waiting room equipped with the latest patient mon- Broward Health continued to impact local communities in extraordinary ways.
itoring technology. Broward Health, which has made a multi-million-dollar investment Broward Health’s Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center served 11,000-plus medical-
in cardiac service line upgrades, has a more than 50-year history in advanced cardiac ly at-risk children and families and continues extensive HIV/AIDS research. Through the
care. highly effective Vaccinate Broward and Mobilize to Immunize campaigns more than 800
children across Broward County were vaccinated.
Lifesaving Technology and Treatments For Thanksgiving, Broward Health served approximately 800 meals to the homeless
New robotic technology continues to provide the best possible care for orthopedic, and hosted a turkey basket distribution to underserved families just in time for the hol-
oncologic, bariatric, urologic, gynecologic, and pediatric patients at Broward Health. idays. Recently, Broward Health donated $250,000 worth of PPE and medical supplies to
Broward Health has not only invested in telehealth programming and a Nurse Connect support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. About 60 pallets of supplies, including face
phone service for patients, but also expanded genomics and precision medicine to pro- masks, surgical gloves, ponchos, sanitizers, isolation gowns and other items that can be
vide personalized care. Among the technology advancements are: used for health care, COVID mitigation and preservation of health and wellness, were
WATCHMAN FLX: Broward Health Medical Center was the first hospital in Broward shared with community partners for distribution in Haiti.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com December 2021 13