Winter 2012 - Lakeland Regional Medical Center

Volume 24
Winter 2012
Andres Medina, MD, Joins LRMC
Heart Team and Brings
Life-Saving New Procedure
In January, Andres Medina, MD, FACS, cardiovasular and
thoracic surgeon, made a one-way drive from Miami to Lakeland
where he became the newest addition to Lakeland Regional’s
renowned Heart Center team. Along with him, Dr. Medina
brought unmatched experience in a new, leading-edge heart
procedure that will give a select group of patients another
chance at life.
Through transcatheter aortic valve implantation, known
as TAVI, Medina implants an artificial aortic valve inside
a patient’s own aortic valve without having to open the
patient’s chest. This minimally-invasive option is for patients
with aortic stenosis who are not considered candidates for
open-heart surgery, due to their fragile condition.
Medina is among the most experienced TAVI surgeons
in the nation, having participated in the initial clinical trial
and performed the first TAVI procedure in the state of
Florida. He has since evaluated more than 140 successfully
completed TAVI cases and proctored other surgeons
throughout the state as they learned to master its techniques.
In addition, Medina was one of two surgeons serving as
an investigator, which led to FDA approval for the TAVI
procedure device.
Medina is a board-certified cardiovascular and thoracic
surgeon, who completed medical school at Mercer University
School of Medicine followed by two fellowships at the University
of Miami with a focus on cardiothoracic surgery as well as heart
and lung transplant.
Lakeland Regional is proud to now have Dr. Medina serving on
its Heart Center Team, which has long been recognized for superior
cardiac care.

Remote “TeleStroke” Technology
Immediately Connects Doctor to Patient
Ronnie Lingerfelt, 63, lives alone in his Mulberry
home. On an early morning in January, he woke,
unable to speak or use his right arm. After calling
911, he was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical
Center’s ER, where he was immediately seen by a
neurologist – via TeleStroke.
TeleStroke, by InTouch Health, is an
audio-visual communication device that
allows a physician to perform critical,
immediate assessments of stroke victims
through remote access. TeleStroke gives
neurologists the ability to physically
assess patients without physically being
in the hospital, so that the next level of
treatment, like clot-busting medication,
can immediately be administered.
Treatment within the first three hours of
stroke onset is vital, so patients benefit
from the efficiency offered by TeleStroke.
“It allows the physician to be at Lakeland
Regional 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and always offer
the patient immediate care," said Dr. Duane Campbell, Stroke
Program director. "Especially with stroke victims, the faster we
can give them care, the more complete their recovery."
Dr. Campbell was the on-call neurologist when Lingerfelt
arrived in the ER. He asked him to raise both arms, smile and
state his name -- all via Telestroke.
“When Dr. Campbell came on the screen, I thought, ‘these
people know what they’re doing,’ ” said Lingerfelt. “Within a
minute, I was talking to the doctor in real time.”
By evaluating the patient through TeleStroke, Dr. Campbell
was able to quickly determine that Lingerfelt, indeed, suffered a
stroke. He prescribed Alteplase, a clot-busting medication, and
arrived at the hospital to continue his care.
Lingerfelt felt better almost immediately and
regained his ability to speak within a few hours
after being administered the medication.
“I am living proof that TeleStroke works,”
Lingerfelt said.
Lakeland Regional’s Stroke Center is
the only stroke program in the area with
advanced technology to treat strokes
beyond three hours. Now, with TeleStroke,
LRMC is able to further its mission of
providing patients exceptional healthcare.
For more information on LRMC’s stroke program, please
visit www.lrmc.com.
Pay Medical Bills in the
Comfort of Your Home
Lakeland Regional patients can
now opt to pay their bills without
ever leaving the comfort of their
homes. That’s right; there is no
need to buy a stamp or make a
special trip to the hospital. Now,
LRMC is offering a convenient
new way for patients to access
and pay their bills online, with an
e-check or credit card, through a
secure service. This convenient
method can be accessed 24-hoursa-day,
seven-days-a-week
and displays updated patient
information.
“We hope that by offering a
payment option on our website,
our patients will be afforded
added convenience with less
confusion,” said Deborah
Newbern, Assistant Director,
Patient Access. “Not to mention,
as we all look to become more
sustainable, a paperless method of
payment is a great positive.”
To access LRMC’s online
payment option, visit www.lrmc.
com, then find the “Pay your bill
online” option on the homepage.

Sports Medicine: Not Just for Student Athletes
When you think of sports medicine, you may visualize a side-lined college football
player on the mend. However, Lakeland Regional Orthopedic Associates’ J. Ryan
Cotton, M.D., recently reached out to the Lakeland community to say millions
of active Americans suffer from common sports injuries each year -- some
of which may benefit from a visit to the doctor or nearby physical therapy
rehabilitation center.
Cotton said many of these injuries involve cartilage damage, ankle
sprains, ligament strains, tendonitis and rotator cuff tears -- just to name
a few. Some of these injuries are brought about by one’s participation in
athletic activities, whether they have just taken up Zumba or played golf for
decades. Cotton says other non-sports-related physical activities may also
lead to similar injuries -- such as gardening, cleaning or simply overusing
any one muscle or joint.
The silver lining, Cotton says, is that those who suffer from such
injuries have options. In fact, many options.
“Most sports or overuse injuries can be initially treated without surgery
and a significant number will get better or become asymptomatic. Only those
that do not get better with non-operative treatment should be considered for
surgery,” said Cotton.
For more information on Lakeland Regional Orthopedic Associates or Lakeland
Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic, visit www.LRMC.com.
Gecko Sighting at LRMC to
Result in Enhanced Service
Recently GEICO, and their famous gecko friend,
visited our pediatric department to deliver $10,000 in
support of Lakeland Regional’s Child Life Program.
Making this contribution has great meaning for GEICO
representatives since Lakeland Regional’s pediatric
unit has played a significant role in caring for their
own families. Lakeland Regional is appreciative of this
generous donation, which will have an incredible impact
on the continued success of the Child Life Program.
Thank you to Lakeland Regional’s Foundation and
GEICO for making this donation a reality and for
helping to create the best healthcare experiences for our
patients.
Complimentary Valet Parking
Now Offered to ER Patients
Lakeland Regional is now offering complimentary
valet parking services to those seeking emergency care.
“This service is available 24-hours-a-day, sevendays-a-week
and will allow us to better meet the
needs of our most serious patients in their critical
time of need,” said Tim Jones, Safety and Security
Department.
To access the ER valet service area, those driving
to the ER will simply follow the “ER entrance” signs.
Once they reach the guard station, a representative on
duty will then direct them to the ER valet parking area.
This new service will allow those driving to
the ER to access care as quickly as possible. At
this time, Lakeland Regional is planning
additional, long-term solutions and
growth opportunities.
In addition, the B entrance
valet parking hours of
operation are now
9 a.m. until 6 p.m.,
still available Monday
through Friday.

The Lakeland Regional Foundation’s
Senior Care Club, as well as its Women
in Philanthropy members, are
invited to participate in an exciting
learning opportunity -- one that
has the potential to help you save
a life.
“CPR for the Layperson,” is
a three-hour educational seminar
offered March 24, March 30 or April 23.
It takes place from 9 a.m. - noon in Lakeland
Regional Medical Center’s auditorium (first floor).
Through the interactive seminar, learn details on the most
up-to-date methods for CPR from Lakeland Regional’s
highly skilled nurses. If a person’s heart or breathing stops,
chances of survival are doubled if help is provided within four
minutes. You could be that person who makes a difference
in the life of another. Due to space limitations, this program
requires registration by calling (863) 413-5843.
In addition, if you are a Senior Care Club member, we
hope you received our quarterly
newsletter in January! In the
newsletter were details of more
events and opportunities
available to you through
April. If you are a Senior
Care Club member, but did
not receive a newsletter, we
would like to add you to our
mailing list. Once again, contact the
Foundation by calling (863) 413-5843.
Would you like to join the Senior Care Club
It has never been so easy. Basic membership is free;
however, those who include a donation to the hospital
are offered a premium membership ($25/individual,
$35/couple) which includes additional member benefits.
To register, go to www.lrmc.com and click “Patients &
Visitors,” then “Senior Services.” Finally, scroll down to
the registration link.
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Lakeland, Florida 33804-5448
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