Jul23

HaysMed Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Certified by Industry Leader

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition HaysMed’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms) recover faster and live healthier. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

To earn accreditation, HaysMed’s cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high quality patient care. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.

About AACVPR

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.aacvpr.org

Jul18

HaysMed Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

American College of Cardiology NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Award recognizes high standards of patient care

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2019. HaysMed is one of only 225 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes HaysMed’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that HaysMed has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, HaysMed has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry for eight consecutive quarters and has performed at the top level of standards for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

“As a Platinum Performance Award recipient, HaysMed has established itself as a leader in setting the national standard for improving quality of care in patients with acute myocardial infarction,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “By meeting the award requirements set forth in the registry, HaysMed has demonstrated a commitment to providing reliable, comprehensive treatment for heart attack patients based on current clinical guideline recommendations.”

The Center for Disease Control estimates that over 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.

“This award reflects the ongoing commitment of DeBakey heart Institute, Hays Med, and the University of Kansas health system to the goal of improving the cardiovascular health of our patients in western and central Kansas. Congratulations to all involved!” said Jeffery Curtis, FACC, FACP, Director of Cardiology Services.

Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org

Jul18

HaysMed Receives Get with The Guidelines Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Gold Plus Award

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

American Heart Association Award recognizes HaysMed’s commitment to quality stroke care

HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

HaysMed earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“HaysMed is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get with The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Carol Groen, stroke coordinator. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

HaysMed additionally received the association’s Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

“We are pleased to recognize HaysMed for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get with The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year

Jul9

HaysMed Cardiologist Presents at International Conference

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas – Dr. Byungsoo Ko, Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiovascular Cathertization Laboratory at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently presented at the C3 (Complex Cardiovascular Catheter Therapeutics: Advanced Endovascular and Coronary Intervention Global Summit) international conference. The conference was held in Orlando, Florida.

The C3 Conference is specifically designed for physicians who specialize in interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology, as well as fellows, residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Their mission is to deliver educational innovation through a global exchange of scientific research, new techniques, and technologies to improve patient care and utilize best practices to improve lives of countless individuals across the world.

Dr. Ko presented on Impella Supported Left Main Intervention in a Patient with STEMI Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock. He also was on a panel for the International Joint Session with Korean Complex Cardiovascular Invention (CCI) Group Complex Endovascular and Structural Heart Disease Intervention.

Jun10

HaysMed Offers Cardiac Calcium Score CT Scan

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, has added an important new screening test that can identify serious cardiac problems early. Cardiac calcium scoring, also known as a heart scan or calcium scoring, can calculate your risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) by measuring the amount of calcified plaques in the coronary arteries.

Cardiac calcium scoring CT screening is a convenient, non-invasive test that evaluates whether you are at an increased risk of a heart attack. The computed tomography (CT) scans are painless, have no side effects and typically take seven minutes to complete.

This is one of five screenings that the public can request without a physician’s referral.

“Anyone can call and schedule any or all of these tests.” Said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, cardiologist and director of cardiology services. “The tests are all non-invasive and very simple to perform.”

Tests offered include screening for atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), peripheral arterial disease, stroke, aortic aneurysm and the latest for cardiac calcium scoring. The tests vary in cost from $15 to $75 or you can get all five for $150. The tests are not covered by insurance.

“The procedures we offer are similar to the traveling mobile screens that are hosted by various organizations. The beauty of our screens is that they are available every week, offer a larger choice and are performed by local hospital staff. Cardiovascular screenings are a great preventative service for patients.” Noted Dr. Curtis.

To schedule a screening any patient can call 855-429-7633 or go to https://www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/heart-health/cvscreening-hays/

Mar5

DeBakey Heart Institute Sponsors Annual Public Hands Only CPR Training

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas– It may take only a few minutes, but for the victim of sudden cardiac arrest, it can be the event of a lifetime.

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes about 250,000 adults in the United States annually. More than 95 percent of its victims die before reaching a hospital – many because they don’t receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation in time. Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device gives an electric shock to the heart to help restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

To help improve those odds, the HaysMed DeBakey Heart Institute and the Hays Medical Center Foundation will hold its 18th annual Staying Alive Hands Only CPR Training on Saturday, March 23, at the Center for Health Improvement at Hays Medical Center. The one and one half hour class is designed for members of the general public, eight years and older; and is not for those seeking professional certification. More than 30 certified instructors and volunteers will donate their time to the event.

Classes in adult and pediatric CPR will be offered at 10:00 am. To register, call 1-800-248-0073, ext 5500 or 785-623-5500 or go to www.haysmed.com/education/

When performed immediately, CPR may double a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival by adding critical minutes to a patient’s life. With CPR, breathing and chest compressions circulate oxygenated blood to the brain, heart and other vital organs until defibrillation is performed.

Cardiac arrest survival is directly linked to the amount of time between the onset of sudden cardiac arrest and defibrillation. Chances of survival drop 7-10 percent with every minute of delay. Brain death starts to occur in just four to six minutes

Seventy-five to 80 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home, so knowing how to perform (CPR) can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one, according to the American Heart Association.

Feb14

HaysMed Adds Electrophysiologists – Electricians for your Heart

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, has expanded services to their cardiac program recently. Drs. Rhea Pimentel and Madhu Reddy have been seeing patients for several months at the Debakey Heart Institute. Both physicians are electrophysiologists, cardiologists who specialize in the electrical functions of the heart.

“Our affiliation with The University of Kansas Health System has made it possible to bring these much needed services available locally,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “We were able to make arrangements for these physicians to come to Hays on a regular basis to see patients in our heart clinic. The addition of the two electrophysiologists will help strengthen the cardiac services available at HaysMed.”

Dr. Pimentel graduated completed medical school at Northwestern University. She did here residency at the University Hospital of Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University and a fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Reddy completed medical school at the Armed Forces medical College and did a residency and fellowship at Creighton University and a fellowship at The University of Kansas Medical Center.

While cardiologists typically evaluate and treat patients with heart-related symptoms, including a fast or slow heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness and other symptoms, electrophysiologists deal with the diagnosis and management of irregular heart rhythm. In most cases, when a cardiologist suspects a patient has an arrhythmia, they refer that patient to an electrophysiologist for further care.

Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm, whether that is too fast, too slow or erratically. When the heart is unable to beat properly, it can affect blood flow, which can cause damage to or even shut down the brain, lungs and other organs. Some arrhythmias are harmless, but others can be life-threatening.

One of the most common arrhythmias that electrophysiologists treat is atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib. AFib occurs when the heart’s upper chambers—the atria—contract irregularly. AFib is the most common type of heart arrhythmia in the U.S., and it is a leading cause of blood clots that can result in a deadly stroke.

The number of people with arrhythmias is increasing and as the population ages, that number will continue to go up.

“We are excited to be able to help patients in this region with their electrophysiology needs so they can have the convenience of receiving this type of care closer to home.” Said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, Cardiologist and Administrative Director of the DeBakey Heart Clinic.

“We’re fortunate that being part of the system has given us the opportunity to have access to additional cardiologists to focus on our patients with heart rhythm problems. Any time we can partner and offer additional services for our patients it is a win-win situation. It is definitely a benefit of being part of The University of Kansas Health System”

For more information please call 888-625-4699 or go to www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/

Jan30

HaysMed Welcomes New Cardiologist

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

(Hays, KS) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is pleased to welcome Dr. Niranjan Seshadri, FACC, FSCAI, FESC, FACP, Cardiologist to the DeBakey Heart Clinic.

Seshadri completed medical school at Mysore Medical College, University of Mysore, Mysore, India. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland and interventional cardiology at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess medical Center in Boston. Dr. Seshadri is board certified in interventional cardiology.

“We are excited to have Dr. Seshadri join the cardiology team,” said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, cardiologist and Administrative Director of Cardiology. “His skills and expertise will allow us to build upon the specialized services we currently offer patients.”

In addition to general cardiology services Dr. Seshadri will be providing procedures including pacemaker implants, radial heart cathertizations done through the wrist, will be active in the vein clinic as well as the evaluation and treatment of peripheral artery blockage disease.

“Dr. Seshadri has worked with us at HaysMed for the past year,” added Curtis. “He is an excellent and experienced interventional cardiologist, and we are excited to have him join us on a more permanent basis.”

To make an appointment call 785-623-6544 or go to www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/

Jan22

HaysMed Earns Blue Distinction® Centers+ Designation for Cardiac Care

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has recognized HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated providers that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA),[1] cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is expected to claim more than 23.6 million lives annually by 2030. Blue Distinction Centers+ for Cardiac Care seek to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to find quality cardiac care.

To receive a Blue Distinction Center+ designation, HaysMed demonstrated expertise in delivering safe and effective cardiac care, focusing on cardiac valve surgery, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) episodes of care. Additionally, HaysMed also demonstrated better cost-efficiency compared to their peers.

Only those hospitals that first meet nationally established quality measures for Blue Distinction Centers are considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+.

“HaysMed has always been committed to providing cardiology services to people in western Kansas.” said Jeff Curtis, Cardiology and Administrative Director of HaysMed Debakey Heart. “Twenty years ago we were the first and are still the only cardiology program in western Kansas to provide cardiology services including heart surgery. This Distinction is recognition for the commitment we have made to making cardiology services available to all patients.”

Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and third party data registries, and cost measures derived from Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies’ medical claims.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that compared to other providers, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients. On average, Blue Distinction Centers+ are also 20 percent more cost-efficient than non-Blue Distinction Center+ designated providers.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

For more than 75 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.

All trademarks listed above are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purposes only, and are in no way associated or affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Use of these trademarks does not imply endorsement.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health of America Report^® series and the national BCBS Health Index^SM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.

About Blue Distinction Centers

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each provider’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

[1]American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/-/media/data-import/downloadables/heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics-2018—at-a-glance-ucm_498848.pdf

Jan15

HaysMed Welcomes New Cardiology Providers

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, KS) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is pleased to welcome Dr. Patricia D. Crawley, Cardiologist and Megan F. Homolka, BSN, MSN, RN, APNP to the DeBakey Heart Clinic.

“We are always pleased to add additional providers to our cardiac team,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer. “The need for heart care in western Kansas remains steady and we are committed to having the specialty services available locally.”

Dr. Crawley graudated from medical school at The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita and a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville. She is board certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

Homolka completed a bachelor of science in nursing at Chamberlain College of Nursing, Arlington, and a master of science in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her area of focus is cardiovascular care.

“We are committed to caring for the cardiology needs of patients in western Kansas,” said Shae Veach, Vice President for Regional Operations. “As part of the region’s premier academic health system, we will continue to offer access to specialists and resources to ensure the continued good health of the communities we serve.”

For more information call 785-623-6544 or go to haysmed.com/debakeyheart

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