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Rex and Eileen Roulston Cardiac Decision Unit
March 13, 2009 |
The statistics are astounding. Each and every day 680 people go into cardiac arrest.
Sometimes the results can be fatal.
The Lex and Eileen Roulston Cardiac Decision Unit at HealthPark is working on new
strategies to make every second count for cardiac patients. Cindy Brown is the Vice
President of Patient Care Services and says, “We’ve got a physician who’s staffed
in this department 12 hours a day and eventually 24 hours a day so patients can
immediately be assessed and cared for by a team of experts.”
The condition of the patient depends on the strategy that’s put in place. “Immediately
upon arrival, either by EMS or walking in, an EKG is done and those EKGs are immediately
reviewed by a physician,” says Brown. Director of Emergency Services, Stephanie
Syksa agrees. “You will have lab work done to see if there was any cardiac injury.
You will be given some medications, they will consult a cardiologist to see - if
you don’t have one.”
If you are experiencing chest pains, pain or numbness in the arms, or unable to
catch your breath, physicians suggest you don’t wait and see if it gets worse. Seek
treatment immediately. “In my practice of nursing over the past 15 years, I have
seen people make the mistake of staying home and waiting 3 or 4 days with chest
pain that has caused them to have damage that’s unrepairable,” says Syska. Brown
adds, “because the earlier you get to the hospital, the more likely we’re going
to be able to prevent any further muscle damage.”
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