Congratulations to Mercy Medical Center and St. John West Shore Hospital on being named Thomson Reuters Top 100 Hospitals in the country for cardiovascular services. The 100 Top Hospitals study evaluated short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals that treat a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. The top performing hospitals perform over 50 percent more cardiac surgeries than peer hospitals.

St. John West Shore Hospital is pleased to announce the creation of a new Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) to officially open on Monday, December 7, 2009. The new eight-bed unit will be located on 4-North, where the former medical/surgical unit was housed.  With a patient-nurse ratio of four to one, the new inpatient unit will specialize in nursing care for patients who are too ill for the general inpatient unit, yet do not need the extremely intensive level of care of the ICU or CCU. 

The unit’s function is not to replace care already provided in the ICU or CCU, but rather to assist the patient flow process, especially during high volume time and/or when beds are at a premium.   The Intermediate Care Unit will be staffed by nurses and other staff members competent to care for patients needing this type of care.

“We look forward to the opening of this new inpatient unit,” says Michael Dobrovich, DO, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs. “The new Intermediate Care Unit will improve patient flow and address the shortage of beds and work flow issues.  With our new unit, diversion for emergency patients will be reduced, as well as the time patients are being held in the surgical and emergency areas.  It will also enhance our patient and physician satisfaction.” 

For more information about the IMCU, please contact James V. Guliano, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services, at 440-827-5005.

Providence Heart & Vascular Institute celebrated the 25th anniversary of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program with the grand opening of a new center.  The improved Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation facility, located in PMOB 3 Suite 220 at 1655 Bernardin Avenue, has been furnished with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, including new stair masters, treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers and rowing machines.  The space also includes a multi-station weight machine and flat screen televisions. 

Vice President of Cardiovascular Services Stephen Creech is excited about the prospect of treating patients in the new space.  “As South Carolina’s Heart Hospital, it is a pleasure to increase the capabilities of our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation facility.  As we celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary, Providence continues to look for ways to better serve our patients and remain a leader in cardiovascular services.” 

Nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the trained staff encourages lifestyle changes in program participants by providing heart-related education and nutrition information, building confidence and supervising exercise programs.

Joining the Providence Cardiac Rehab program can make a significant difference in the lives of those who have experienced heart disease.  Patients who commit to this program experience a quicker return to normal home and physical activities as well as a reduced risk of future heart problems.  For more information, call Providence at (803) 256-5463.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Health System, Providence Hospitals is known statewide for its compassionate care.   This non-profit organization is licensed for 304 beds and is comprised of four entities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, Providence Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. A faith-based health care facility in the Midlands area of South Carolina, Providence employs more than 1,900 caring individuals.

 Providence Hospital, located in downtown Columbia, was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine in 1938. The facility is best known for the expertise in cardiac care it provides through Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, which is recognized statewide as a referral center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. 

Providence Hospital Northeast was established in 1999 and offers a range of medical services in surgery, emergency care, women’s and children’s services and rehabilitation.  Providence Northeast is home to Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute, which provides medical and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the bones, joints and spine.

CLEVELAND, OHIO--October 24, 2009—St. Vincent Charity Hospital tonight inducted six physicians into the Society of St. Luke. The Society of St. Luke was established in 2004 to recognize and honor selected members of the St. Vincent Charity Medical Staff for their distinguished service to their patients, the mission and the communities we serve.

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Providence Hospitals has a new staff member—Annie, a four-year-old Labradoodle, has been added as part of a new pet therapy program.  Studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure and stress levels and an improvement in emotional well-being in patients during therapy dog visits. Annie, a member of Therapy Dogs International owned by retired marketing specialist John Scheble, spent her “first day on the job” visiting patients and staff in various departments throughout the hospital, including the Emergency department and recovery units.  Annie, who also volunteers at local nursing homes and the library, will begin visiting patients once a week as part of the new program.