St. David's Medical Center News

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center First in Central Texas To Perform Procedure Using SentreHEART LARIAT Suture Delivery Device

reedsmith — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:35:50 GMT

Catheter-Based Procedure is Designed to Permanently Close the

Left Atrial Appendage To Treat Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
AUSTIN, Texas-Recently, physicians at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David's Medical Center became the first in Central Texas to perform a new minimally invasive catheter-based procedure that uses the LARIAT Suture Delivery Device to close the left atrial appendage, or LAA, to treat patients with Atrial Fibrillation, or A Fib. A Fib is a type of heart rhythm disorder that affects the electrical system, or "wiring," of the heart muscle.

"This procedure is designed to permanently close the LAA without surgery, which may eliminate the need for blood thinners in some A Fib patients," Andrea Natale, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C., F.E.S.C., cardiac electrophysiologist and executive medical director of TCAI, said. "This is an extreme benefit to patients, as blood-thinning medications can have less-than-desirable side effects."

The LAA is a structure in the heart that excretes hormones and normally contracts slightly, which helps move blood flow in and out of the LAA. In patients with A Fib, the LAA stops rhythmically contracting, and the sluggish blood flow inside can pool and form blood clots, which can lead to a stroke-requiring many patients to take blood thinner medications as a precaution. This procedure is ideal for patients who can no longer tolerate such medications.

The LARIAT Suture Delivery Device, manufactured by SentreHEART, Inc., consists of a long, soft plastic catheter tube with a tiny magnet and a lasso-shaped suture at the end. The LARIAT implant procedure involves small puncture sites rather than a large incision.

After cleansing an area of skin below the breast bone with antiseptic, a local anesthetic "numbing medicine" is injected into the area, then a small needle puncture is made. The needle is directed under the breast bone, toward the left side of the heart. Using X-ray and ultrasound guidance, the needle is passed into the pericardium, which is the thick sac that surrounds the heart. Through the hollow tube inside the needle, a tiny guiding wire is passed into the sac surrounding the heart. Over this wire, a pencil-sized tube is guided toward the LAA to establish a pathway for the LARIAT catheter. The physician then passes the LARIAT device through this tube to the LAA.

Meanwhile, numbing medicine is injected in the groin and tubes are inserted into those blood vessels. A soft plastic catheter is passed through the blood vessel in the leg and into the top/upper chamber of the heart, known as the right atrium. A tiny puncture is made in the wall that separates the right atrium and the left atrium. A guide wire with a tiny magnetic tip and a balloon are passed up to the heart through this catheter, across the heart wall, using X-ray and ultrasound guidance, and into the left atrium and the LAA. The magnetic wire tip within the LAA attracts the magnet wire tip in the lasso device that is on the outside of the heart, allowing the LARIAT suture loop to be advanced over the LAA. The LARIAT suture knot is then tightened around the base of the appendage to close the LAA. Once tied off, the appendage will over time shrivel into scar tissue.

The first cases in Central Texas were performed at TCAI by Dr. Natale; Rodney P. Horton, M.D., electrophysiologist at TCAI; and J. David Burkhardt, M.D., electrophysiologist at TCAI.

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center
(TCAI) is one of the world's preeminent centers dedicated to the latest treatment advances for correcting abnormal heart rhythms such as Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib). The center is led by Executive Medical Director Andrea Natale, M.D., a world-renowned expert in the field. Natale is at the forefront of advancing treatment for A Fib, leading numerous clinical trials and participating in the development of new technologies and procedures. For more information, please visit TCAInstitute.com.

St. David's Medical Center
St. David's Medical Center is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized in January 2012 as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. Founded in 1924, St. David's Medical Center is a full-service medical center offering comprehensive medical care at three locations-St. David's Medical Center, located at 919 East 32nd�Street in Austin; Heart Hospital of Austin, located at�3801 North Lamar Blvd.; and St. David's Georgetown Hospital,�located in Georgetown at 2000 Scenic Drive. The three campuses offer a full range of medical specialties, as well as many other innovative health care services.

St. David's Medical Center in central Austin includes a�350-bed acute care hospital and a freestanding, 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David's�Medical Center provides a complete range of women's services, including its acclaimed maternity unit, maternal fetal medicine,�a�high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team,�the region's largest and most sophisticated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Breast Center, and a fertility center; is home to the internationally acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute; NeuroTexas Institute�(including�the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention and designation as a Primary Stroke Center); complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.

Thomson Reuters named St. David's Medical Center to the list of 100 Top Hospitals in 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit�StDavids.com.

St. David's HealthCare Hospitals Reaccredited as Chest Pain Centers

reedsmith — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:34:07 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas-Several St. David's HealthCare facilities recently received Chest Pain Center Accreditations-all of which were reaccreditations-from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC). The SCPC is an international, not-for-profit organization that focuses on transforming cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their efforts to create communities of excellence that bring together quality, cost and patient satisfaction.

St. David's Medical Center, St. David's North Austin Medical Center and St. David's South Austin Medical Center received these reaccreditations by the SCPC. St. David's Round Rock Medical Center is scheduled to receive its reaccreditation in May 2012. The Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David's Georgetown Hospital received their reaccreditation in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

"By maintaining our chest pain center accreditations, we continue to enhance the quality of care for cardiac patients and demonstrate our commitment to higher standards," Thomas W. Knight, M.D., chief medical officer at St. David's HealthCare, said. "We are pleased to continue to offer exceptional chest pain care for all patients at St. David's HealthCare facilities."

Chest Pain Center Accreditation is awarded to facilities that have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack. These facilities emphasize the importance of standardized diagnostic and treatment programs that provide more efficient and effective evaluation, as well as more appropriate and rapid treatment of patients with chest pain and other heart attack symptoms. They also serve as a point of entry into the health care system to evaluate and treat other medical problems, and they help to promote a healthier lifestyle in an attempt to reduce the risk factors for heart attack.

To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, these hospitals engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. This means that processes are in place to meet strict criteria aimed at:

Reducing the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment
Treating patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved
Monitoring patients when it is not certain that they are having a heart attack to ensure that they are not sent home too quickly or needlessly admitted to the hospital

St. David's HealthCare
With more than 60 sites across Central Texas, St. David's HealthCare includes seven of the area's leading hospitals and is one of the largest health systems in Texas. Known for compassionate, high-quality care, the organization has been recognized with the Texas Award for Performance Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the State of Texas based upon world-class quality measures. In January 2012, St. David's HealthCare was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. In April 2012, three of the system's hospitals-St. David's Medical Center, St. David's North Austin Medical Center and St. David's Round Rock Medical Center-were named to the list of 100 top hospitals in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters. Perennially ranked as the top Austin-area employer among large companies by the Austin Business Journal's annual "Best Places to Work" survey, St.�David's HealthCare is the third-largest private employer in the Austin area, with approximately 7,500 employees. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.
About the Society of Chest Pain Centers
The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) is an international not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transform cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their effort to create communities of excellence that bring together quality, cost and patient satisfaction. As the only cross-specialty Society, SCPC provides the support needed for hospital systems to effectively bridge existing gaps in treatment by providing the tools, education and support necessary to successfully navigate the changing face of healthcare. For more information on SCPC, accreditation and certification opportunities, visit www.scpcp.org, or call toll free 1-877-271-4176.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Opens New Family Room at St. David's Medical Center

reedsmith — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:39:44 GMT

Ronald McDonald House Charities Seeks 30 Volunteers to Assist with

New Family Room at St. David's Medical Center-the Largest in Central Texas
AUSTIN, Texas-Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas (RMHC Austin) is scheduled to open a new Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. David's Medical Center in June.

The new Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. David's Medical Center will be the largest in the region, and it will have a significant impact on the families of medically fragile infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St. David's Medical Center-the largest Level III NICU in Central Texas. Last year alone, the St. David's Medical Center NICU treated 650 babies with an average length of stay of 27 days.

"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities to provide NICU families with a comfortable place to stay within our hospital while their baby is being treated," Don Wilkerson, chief executive officer of St. David's Medical Center, said. "A stay in the NICU can be stressful and sometimes difficult for families, especially those who live outside the region. In addition to providing the best possible medical care for their infants, we want to ensure that the families are cared for as well."

The 1,300 square-foot Family Room will consist of a living room, kitchenette, four bedrooms, two ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-accessible bathrooms, a big-screen television and two computers. It will provide a restful place within the hospital where families with a baby in the NICU can spend the night, take a shower, enjoy a snack, access the Internet, watch television, check email, visit with other families or simply get away from the beeping of the hospital monitors for a few moments.

Many of the families who will use the new Family Room live within the Austin area. However, more than 40 percent of the families live outside of Austin and often travel a great distance to be with their babies during this challenging time.

"Research shows that a family's presence in the hospital helps children heal faster and cope better," Ann Jerome, chief operating officer of RMHC Austin, said. "The Ronald McDonald Family Room encourages families to stay at the hospital and allows them to better communicate with their child's medical team and improve adherence to complicated treatment plans."

RMHC Austin is in immediate need of 30 volunteers to help with the new Family Room at St. David's Medical Center. Volunteers will work a weekly, four-hour shift to support families caring for their hospitalized children.

"The Ronald McDonald Family Room program thrives when our volunteers are present to support families," Derrick Lesnau, RMHC Austin programs director, said. "Volunteers create a supportive and caring environment that is essential to providing an on-site respite for families with children being treated in the NICU."��

St. David's Medical Center features a 65-bed Level III NICU and offers a wide range of services, including neonatal surgical care. The NICU consists of an in-house team of nurses and board-certified neonatologists, with board-certified pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, neurologists, nephrologists and other pediatric subspecialists available around the clock to handle the most complicated cases. Physicians at the NICU at St. David's Medical Center perform more neonatal surgeries annually than any other facility in the Austin area.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. David's Medical Center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This is the third Ronald McDonald Family Room to open in Austin. RMHC Austin opened its first Family Room at St. David's Women's Center of Texas, located at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, in 2009. Then, in September 2011, it opened a Family Room at Dell Children's Medical Center.

To learn more about how to volunteer or to get additional information about the program, visit the Ronald McDonald Family Room page of the RMHC Austin website at RMHC-Austin.org/Family-Room-St-Davids.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas
Through its Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. The Ronald McDonald House, with its 30 rooms for families, provides lodging and support services in a nurturing, home-like environment where families stay together while caring for their critically ill or injured children receiving treatment in Austin-area hospitals. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside St. David's Women's Center of Texas, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, and coming soon to St. David's Medical Center, are places of rest and support within the walls of the hospitals for families with children in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. In 2011, RMHC Austin served over 1300 families in all programs combined.

St. David's Medical Center
St. David's Medical Center is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized in January 2012 as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. Founded in 1924, St. David's Medical Center is a full-service medical center offering comprehensive medical care at three locations-St. David's Medical Center, located at 919 East 32nd�Street in Austin; Heart Hospital of Austin, located at�3801 North Lamar Blvd.; and St. David's Georgetown Hospital,�located in Georgetown at 2000 Scenic Drive. The three campuses offer a full range of medical specialties, as well as many other innovative health care services.

St. David's Medical Center in central Austin includes a�350-bed acute care hospital and a freestanding, 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David's�Medical Center provides a complete range of women's services, including its acclaimed maternity unit, maternal fetal medicine,�a�high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team,�the region's largest and most sophisticated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Breast Center, and a fertility center; is home to the internationally acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute; NeuroTexas Institute�(including�the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention and designation as a Primary Stroke Center); complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.

Thomson Reuters named St. David's Medical Center to the list of 100 Top Hospitals in 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit�StDavids.com.

St. David's Medical Center Only Hospital in Central Texas to Acquire Robotic Fluorescence Imaging Technology With da Vinci� SiT Surgical System

reedsmith — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:48:34 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas-Recently, St. David's Medical Center became the first hospital in Central Texas to acquire fluorescence imaging technology with the da Vinci� SiT Surgical System. This technology offers the capability of providing real-time, image-guided identification of key anatomical landmarks using near-infrared technology. Fluorescence imaging allows surgeons to see and assess anatomy better than the naked eye, further enhancing the unmatched vision, precision and control of minimally invasive da Vinci surgery.

"This revolutionary fluorescence technology has the ability to illuminate healthy tissue, allowing for improved surgical precision," John Marietta, M.D., chief medical officer at St. David's Medical Center, said. "When performing a tumor removal procedure, for example, there is a fine line between the areas requiring removal and the healthy portions of an organ. This technology allows us to more precisely differentiate those areas with the flip of a switch, often sparing healthy tissues by leaving them intact."

The fluorescence imaging technology provides real-time identification of a patient's anatomy. The specially designed endoscopes and camera allow physicians to visualize tissue and surrounding blood vessels by injecting a green-colored dye called IndoCyanine Green (ICG), which is activated by near-infrared light. This technology allows surgeons to identify malignant and healthy tissue as the procedure is performed.

The fluorescence imaging technology with da Vinci robotic surgery will be used to perform minimally invasive surgery across a wide array of specialties. Currently, it is primarily used in urologic and colorectal procedures.

The da Vinci Si Surgical System is developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Intuitive Surgical, Inc., is the global technology leader in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. The company's da Vinci Surgical System offers surgeons superior visualization, enhanced dexterity and greater precision compared to traditional surgical approaches.

St. David's Medical Center

St. David's Medical Center is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized in January 2012 as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. Founded in 1924, St. David's Medical Center is a full-service medical center offering comprehensive medical care at three locations-St. David's Medical Center, located at 919 East 32nd Street in Austin; Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Blvd.; and St. David's Georgetown Hospital, located in Georgetown at 2000 Scenic Drive. The three campuses offer a full range of medical specialties, as well as many other innovative health care services.

St. David's Medical Center in central Austin includes a 350-bed acute care hospital and a freestanding, 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David's Medical Center provides a complete range of women's services, including its acclaimed maternity unit, maternal fetal medicine, a high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team, the region's largest and most sophisticated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Breast Center, and a fertility center; is home to the internationally acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute; NeuroTexas Institute (including the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention and designation as a Primary Stroke Center); complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.

Thomson Reuters named St. David's Medical Center to the list of 100 Top Hospitals in 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.

St. David's Rehabilitation Launches Cancer Rehab Program

reedsmith — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:31:37 GMT

St. David's Oncology Rehabilitation Program Designed to Assist

Cancer Patients, Providing Access to Tailored Rehab Programs
AUSTIN, Texas-St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital recently launched a new oncology rehabilitation program, which includes inpatient and outpatient cancer programs, providing patients with access to physicians who specialize in rehabilitative care, nurses and therapists who tailor a rehabilitation program to meet patients' specific needs. The program ensures patients have immediate access to cancer resources, technologies and treatments.

"Our approach to oncology rehabilitation is unique because we do not use a one-size-fits-all philosophy," Everett Heinze, medical director at St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital, said. "But whether someone has experienced mild, moderate or severe effects of cancer, our goals are the same-helping the patient return to his or her family, easing pain, promoting mobility and function, and advocating for a productive future."

The St. David's Oncology Rehabilitation Program is dedicated to treating patients with a wide range of short- and long-term impairments that may result from cancer, such as weakness, fatigue and the loss of physical or cognitive function-including the ability to walk, speak or think clearly. The program also treats patients with lymphedema-a common condition in which fluid builds up in the tissues, causing swelling in the arms, legs, face, neck, abdomen or trunk-incontinence, cardiorespiratory deficiency, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, debility, dysphagia, premature bone loss, sarcoidosis, sarcopenia and steriod myophathy.

"Treating the cancer itself is only part of the challenge of caring for patients with cancer," Mark Burnett, M.D., neurosurgeon and executive medical director at NeuroTexas Institute at St. David's HealthCare, said. "Without adequate post-procedure treatment, patients often struggle through the remainder of their recovery. This program will help identify additional medical needs and treat them appropriately."

A recent study by Macmillan Cancer Support revealed physical activity can reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, underscoring the importance of exercise in cancer patients. It found physical activity after cancer treatment can reduce the impact of some debilitating side effects, such as swelling around the arm, anxiety, depression, fatigue, impaired mobility and weight changes. The study also suggested that comprehensive rehabilitation cancer services include physical therapy to encourage and recommend appropriate levels of activity.

The St. David's Oncology Rehabilitation Program is lead by board-certified rehabilitation physicians and nurses and provides a full continuum of rehabilitative care, including:

Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech and language therapy
Psychology
Clinical social work
Case Management
Recreation therapy
Nutritional counseling
Prosthetic training
Spiritual support
Community support group

After patients complete therapy, the St. David's Oncology Rehabilitation Program offers resources to help them continue their progress through individual consultations and lifetime support, including local support groups. The Brain Tumor Support Group at St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital is affiliated with NeuroTexas Institute at St. David's HealthCare and the National Brain Tumor Foundation, and it seeks to provide a refuge of support and information for brain tumor patients and/or their families.

For more information, contact St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital at (512) 544-8993, or visit StDavidsRehab.com.

St. David's Rehabilitation
St. David's Rehabilitation, including its flagship hospital located at 1005 East 32nd�Street, is part of St. David's HealthCare-one of the largest health systems in Texas,�which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital features private rooms, state-of-the-art technology and the largest rehab pool in the market to support the most comprehensive aquatic therapy program in the region. All St. David's Rehabilitation facilities provide comprehensive rehabilitative care�for patients with neurological conditions, including stroke, and orthopedic illnesses or injuries. St. David's Rehabilitation also features three satellite facilities located at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center and St. David's Georgetown Hospital. For more information, please visit�StDavids.com.

St. David's Medical Center
St. David's Medical Center is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized in January 2012 as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. Founded in 1924, St. David's Medical Center is a full-service medical center offering comprehensive medical care at three locations-St. David's Medical Center, located at 919 East 32nd�Street in Austin; Heart Hospital of Austin, located at�3801 North Lamar Blvd.; and St. David's Georgetown Hospital,�located in Georgetown at 2000 Scenic Drive. The three campuses offer a full range of medical specialties, as well as many other innovative health care services.

St. David's Medical Center in central Austin includes a�350-bed acute care hospital and a freestanding, 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David's�Medical Center provides a complete range of women's services, including its acclaimed maternity unit, maternal fetal medicine,�a�high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team,�the region's largest and most sophisticated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Breast Center, and a fertility center; is home to the internationally acclaimed Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute; NeuroTexas Institute�(including�the TIA Center for Stroke Prevention and designation as a Primary Stroke Center); complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.

Thomson Reuters named St. David's Medical Center to the list of 100 Top Hospitals in 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit�StDavids.com.