The recommended standard for best practices recommending a door to balloon time for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients to be ≤ 90 minutes was established in the 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Guidelines for STEMI. This has remained the accepted industry standard. But 2013 was a long time ago, and although…
The Advisory Board recently presented several trends related to information that CEOs need to know in 2024. Several of the key areas were that hospitals are seeing higher acuity patients, there are higher levels of adverse events with declining quality overall, and health systems struggle to perform financially. Many of these areas, as hospital leaders…
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, advancements in technology have paved the way for innovative treatments that promise better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is one such revolutionary procedure that has transformed the management of aortic valve diseases, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.…
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved a new rule on November 9, 2023, to establish a statewide system of care for ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. The STEMI system will utilize the existing regions and Medical Control Authorities (MCAs) established for the trauma system of care in the state. The rule…
Elevating Program Quality and Cardiovascular Patient Care We all understand the vital role that a robust cardiovascular program plays in a healthcare facility. Ensuring a quality level of patient care, achieving superior outcomes, and maintaining financial stability are key objectives for any organization. However, in an evolving healthcare landscape, how can you make your cardiovascular…
Why Pursue Accreditation for Your Specialty Program? A significant purpose of any accreditation process, whether in healthcare or another industry, is to ensure adequate attention is being paid to critical aspects of a process to result in a positive outcome. In healthcare, this translates to having processes in place to guide the right care,…
My Electrophysiology Story I remember the first time I saw a permanent pacemaker being placed in a cardiac cath lab by a cardiologist. At that time, it was fairly interesting given for many years these devices were implanted by a surgeon within the walls of an operating room! Boy, how times have changed. As we…
Open-Heart Surgery: A Cornerstone Cardiovascular Program Open-heart surgery (OHS) has long been a cornerstone of cardiovascular patient care as it encompasses some of the most clinically complex procedures that can be performed to support, renew, or improve heart function in patients. The term typically includes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and surgical heart valve replacement…
Treating Peripheral Vascular Disease Within the past 30-40 years, there has been a technological revolution in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Unfortunately, the healthcare industry has not always kept up with the advancements in care and in some areas, has fallen far below the potential level that is achievable. The impact on the industry…
Visual management is a form of communication used in management which has roots in manufacturing operations, like Lean and Six Sigma, but with opportunities to apply to many other industries, including healthcare. The goal of any visual management is to translate information into a format that is quickly and easily understood at a high…
