SAVING HEARTS AND SAVING LIVES: Emanuel’s Cardiac Care Program Delivers on its Promise 6 HEARTBEAT
When Emanuel Medical Center began developing a cardiac care program to serve the greater Turlock area, the need was clear. When Legacy Circle began raising money to support the cardiac program two years ago, the promise was also clear: Top-quality cardiac care in our community will save lives. Promise kept. “We worked so hard to bring these services to Emanuel Medical Center and Turlock because we knew a quality cardiac program here would save lives,” said Emanuel President and CEO John Sigsbury. “I am absolutely, 100 percent certain that we have. And everyone involved with cardiovascular services is proud of our treatment and outcomes.” In fact, Emanuel’s program is impressing other people as well. The Joint Commission is a national organization that inspects and accredits health care providers. In March, Joint Commission surveyors visited Emanuel to review its open heart program – and they found nothing to improve. In fact, the Commission asked Emanuel to write up part of its program to share on the Joint Commission website. “In 33 years of hospital administration, I have never received a visit from the Joint Commission that resulted in no recommended action steps,” Sigsbury said. “To have it suggested that our program be shared as a Best Practice on the Joint Commission website is truly an accomplishment.” This fall, Legacy Circle, Emanuel’s annual giving program, begins year three of a five-year effort to raise $5 million to support the program. The goal of the six-week campaign will be to raise $1 million. The money will help Emanuel take the next step in its cardiovascular services program – building two new dedicated cardiac operating suites. One will be a traditional open heart operating room, and the other will be a cuttingedge hybrid suite that combines the type of scanner used in a cath lab with a tilting operating table – allowing surgeons to perform incredibly delicate procedures. The new facilities will allow physicians to perform even more procedures in Turlock and, most importantly, treat two emergency heart attack patients simultaneously. Here are testimonies of just a few of the many people that experienced the lifesaving services first-hand. Irma England At 62, Patterson’s Irma England looks like the picture of health. Raising her 11-year-old grandson Caleb keeps her fit and active. “I’m out playing soccer with Caleb and his friends,” she said. “I thought I was super healthy with no problems.”But on April 19 of this year, that changed. “I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone and felt uncomfortable in my chest, a little nauseous and like I needed to catch my breath,” she said. Irma’s daughter Claralyn came right over. “She looked at me and said ‘You’re having a heart attack,’” Irma remembered. “I said no I wasn’t, but she said she was going to call 911.” “In just minutes the ambulance was there,” Irma said, “and the driver called ahead to Emanuel.” The trip to Turlock was quick, and Emanuel’s emergency cardiac team was waiting for her when she arrived. “They told me it was going to be OK,” she said. Before she knew it, Irma was in the Cardiac Cath and Interventional Lab, and the cardiologist was guiding an angioplasty balloon up through her femoral artery to the blockage in her heart. “I took a breath and it felt like life came back to me,” Irma said. “The doctor asked me how I felt and I said I felt great.” Irma was home the next day. On Monday, she was back to her full and active life, and grateful to everyone who helped her. “I’m so thankful to everyone, especially Emanuel Medical Center,” she said. “I can’t say SUMMER 2012 7
Change language