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November 20, 2009
Hospital Updates
Physicians, board members and administrators at Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, Florida, along with city dignitaries, cut a bright red ribbon announcing the opening of its advanced Cardiac Catheterization and Special Procedures Suite at Lower Keys Medical Center recently. The ribbon cutting was viewed by an overflow crowd of doctors, staff and island residents.
Lower Keys Medical Center Chief Executive Officer, Nicki Will announced during the ribbon cutting ceremony that it has partnered with Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida for cardiac services and other advanced care it provides. “We are excited to provide this level of care here in the Keys,” said Dr. Will, who was pleased to announce that this lab is the culmination of a three year project. At the same time she also announced the appointment of Giovanni Campanile, MD, FACC, FSCAI as the new Invasive and Interventional Cardiologist for the Key West hospital.
The Mount Sinai Medical Center cardiac team headed up by Associate Vice President of Cardiovascular Services, Steve Sklanounos and assisted by Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Al Vadillo, will assist Lower Keys Medical Center in providing the highest level of cardiac services and other care in the Florida Keys. Mount Sinai Medical Center Senior Vice President Network Development, Charlene Welker and Mount Sinai Medical Center President and CEO, Steven Sonenreich will also be in direct contact with the cardiac team at Lower Keys Medical Center to make certain there is seamless care for patients that may need to be transferred to their facility.
LKMC Medical Executive Committee member Dr. Jerome Covington commented on the many positive impacts this facility will have for the community. He stated, “Not only does this facility create a more secure environment for our patients, but it also is more economically sound. Travel becomes a real inconvenience to an individual who is ill. It is at this time that one wants to be surrounded by family and friends.”
The Cardiac Catheterization and Special Procedures Suite is equipped with the Philips Allura Xper system, the latest technology and equipment in radiology and diagnostic services. This digital x-ray system provides crisp, virtually distortion-free visualization of tiny details and objects to support endovascular services. The reduced X-ray dose from special filters means lower radiation exposure for patients and staff while maintaining the same excellent image quality. The imaging system captures information at a resolution four times greater than conventional angiography systems. The rotational scan feature acquires a range of projections with just one contrast injection. It is used to create real-time, 3D impressions of complex vasculature and coronary arteries to reduce time, X-ray dose and contrast medium.
Jose Hernandez, Manager of Radiology Services, explained that the new facility will be used for minimally invasive procedures, as a better option to surgery. He said, “We can help keep patients out of the operating room. For most procedures, patients walk out in four to six hours, and do not have to stay overnight in the hospital.”
Both interventional radiologist, Dr. Sandy Shultz and interventional cardiologist, Dr. Giovanni Campanile specialize in performing minimally invasive procedures percutaneously (through the skin), thereby eliminating the need for an open procedure. The advantages of this approach are many. Instead of a large incision and exposure of inner tissues and organs, a few tiny incisions are made, through which thin needles or catheters are passed. This technique significantly reduces risk of complications, scarring, discomfort, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and recovery time when compared to the open technique. By using imaging to guide the procedures, the physician is able to plan a precise path to the internal location of interest and view his progress in real-time to make sure his placement is exactly where it should be.
Dr. Shultz also performs non-vascular procedures, including oncology diagnosis and treatment, biliary intervention, bone stabilization, and pain management. For cancer treatment, he performs image-guided biopsies and non-surgical ablation to destroy a localized tumor. Catheters can also be used to remove a blockage or drain an abscess from an organ, treat and stabilize a fractured vertebra (kyphoplasty), and deliver pain medication using fluoroscopy.
(L-R) LKMC CEO Nicki Will, HMA Senior Vice President Josh Putter, Key West City Commissioner Teri Johnson, LKMC Hospital Board members Frank Houtman and Dr. Robin Lockwood, Hospital District Board member Neil Call, LKMC Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Giovanni Campanile, Key West Mayor Craig Cates, LKMC Interventional Radiologist Dr. Sandy Shultz, LKMC Medical Executive Committee member Dr. Jerome Covington and Hospital District Board member Cathy Ovide.
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