St. Joseph’s has a ‘gold’ heart
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Award for meeting and exceeding specific standards of performance, for quick and appropriate treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.
The performance metrics consider the entire process — from the 911 call, to EMS transport, to hospital treatment to discharge. This is the third consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received the award.
STEMI is an acronym for ST elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. For these heart attacks, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North received a “Gold” designation for the Mission: Lifeline STEMI award, meaning the hospital has achieved the quality measures for 24 months.
“This award means that St Joseph’s Hospital-North achieves excellence in providing cardiovascular care to the community it serves. It means every local resident and visitor should feel secure in knowing that this hospital will care for them at the highest level of quality and safety. It is a well-deserved recognition of the team-based effort to deliver the very best care. It is a great honor that the administration and staff should be very proud of,” said Dr. Christopher Pastore, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in a St. Joseph’s news release.
“Exceptional patient care is our top priority, and we are proud to achieve this ‘Gold’ designation from the American Heart Association,” said Tom Garthwaite, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. “Our community can be reassured that it is safe to use the hospital and emergency room and that their care remains in the safe hands of the cardiovascular program at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.”
Joining forces
Florida Blue, the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Medical Association are joining forces to encourage Floridians to get a flu shot, so all may have a #FluFreeFlorida.
As the number of COVID-19 cases in the state begin to increase, the potential for a devastating collision of COVID-19 and the flu (twindemic) this season is real, according to a joint news release from the medical groups.
The organizations are uniting to use their collective and powerful voices to raise awareness around the state about the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year, encouraging all to ‘spread the word, not the flu,’ by using #FluFreeFlorida on social media.
Floridians should be immunized to prevent severe illness and to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and flu cases.
While influenza seasons vary in intensity, adults in the 65-plus age group bear the greatest burden of severe influenza disease. In Florida, an average of 80% of seasonal pneumonia and influenza deaths occurred in adults age 65 and over, during the last five flu seasons.
The flu vaccine can be given to almost anyone 6-months of age and older.
A flu shot is especially important for high-risk groups, including senior citizens, children, pregnant woman, and people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other pre-existing conditions.
Most people with health insurance can get a flu shot at no cost when they go to a doctor or pharmacy that is in their network.
There are many local events planned around the state to ensure each eligible Floridian has access to a flu vaccine. There are also numerous resources for those without insurance.
Visit ThePowerToProtect.org or FLShotsUsers.com/search/provider to find additional information.
Care Pavilions in the works
AdventHealth will break ground on the construction of two new Care Pavilions, one in Westchase and one in New Tampa. The new pavilions will be part of the AdventHealth network of care, and will provide additional convenient access to patients by integrating multiple health care services into one location for “one-stop shopping,” according to a release.
The AdventHealth Care Pavilions will provide both traditional and non-traditional health care amenities at each location, based on the size of the facility and the medical needs of the local community.
The use of innovative technology and architectural designs also will be fundamental and unique to each location, to deliver an exceptional patient experience.
The first two pavilion concepts will be in Westchase, at 10987 Sheldon Road in Tampa, and in New Tampa at 8702 Hunters Lake Drive.
Construction on both facilities is expected to be completed in summer 2021.
Gulfside fundraiser
The third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, due to the current pandemic, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.
All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.
Hospital expansion
Following the opening of Pasco County’s first Neuro Interventional program and Comprehensive Stroke Center, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point began a 19,000-square-foot renovation and expansion project in late 2019. This project is now complete with larger operating rooms, a new Sterile Processing Department, and an expansive Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where patients recover after their procedure.
“We are delighted with the results of this project which showcases our commitment to meeting the health care needs of Pasco County and surrounding communities,” said Chief Executive Officer Gina Temple, in a hospital news release.
“We are continuing to invest heavily in our surgical programs to ensure our surgeons have the latest tools and technology for optimal patient outcomes,” Temple said.
Bayonet Point also has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of surgical patients and caregivers during the pandemic.
For more information, visit BayonetPointHospital.com.
