Published on July 23, 2007

Shady Grove Receives Two Year Waiver to Perform Early Intervention for Heart Attack Patients

Rockville, MD - Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has received a two-year waiver from the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) to continue providing an early life-saving medical procedure for heart attack patients.

The procedure, called a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), includes the insertion of a balloon-type device into a patient's arteries to alleviate a blockage. In Maryland, hospitals are only allowed to perform primary PCI for emergency patients under two conditions-they must have cardiac surgery onsite or must receive a waiver from the MHCC. Hospitals without onsite cardiac surgery may receive a one- or two-year waiver, based on performance. Shady Grove's exceptional outcomes for cardiac patients paved the way for the hospital to receive a two-year waiver from the Commission.

"We are pleased that the Commission granted Shady Grove a two-year waiver. Our cardiac program involves a coordinated team effort by a skilled care team that uses the latest technology and research to provide outstanding outcomes for our patients," said Dennis Hansen, President of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. "Our outcomes not only met state standards, they surpassed state standards thereby demonstrating our commitment to exceptional care for patients in our community."

Quick actions by the health care team can make a significant difference for patients who are suffering from a heart attack. One quality measurement that is used for the treatment of heart attack patients is door-to-balloon (DTB) time, which measures the amount of time between when a patient arrives in an Emergency Department and when the first device is used. During 2006, Shady Grove's DTB averaged under state standard of two hours in 87 percent of its cases, surpassing the hospital's goal of 80 percent. In 2006 Shady Grove's DTB time was tied for the lowest in Maryland among hospitals with a PCI wavier.

"Our outstanding performance when minutes matter demonstrates our commitment to excellent outcomes for our cardiac patients at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital," noted Hansen.

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital's outstanding cardiac program involves a full scope of cutting-edge treatments and research. The program includes a research department that conducts both investigational drug and device studies. Current research includes investigation of a blood-thinning drug for patients with irregular heart beats who are at high risk for strokes; a study of patients who have cardiovascular disease as well as a type of arthritis; and the study of an investigational drug for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Device studies that are currently underway in the department include a study on improvement for heart failure patients by risk stratification and implantation of devices; several studies involving pacemakers and defibrillators; and a study monitoring the use of carotid stents in patients with carotid artery disease. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital also offers a full spectrum of vascular services, including vascular surgery.

"Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has been at the forefront of cardiovascular services in the community for over 20 years. We have been successfully performing primary coronary intervention at Shady Grove since 1996 and were one of the first hospitals with a community-based electrophysiology and arrhythmia laboratory as well as a robust cardiac rehabilitation program," explained Dr. Dennis Friedman, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Research at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.

Other cardiac and vascular services offered to patients at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital include:

• Monitored and Unmonitored Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implants
• Vascular Surgery
• EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation)
• ECG, Holter monitoring, stress testing
• Ultrasound
• Nuclear Medicine
• MRA (Magnetic Resonance Anteriography)
• CT Imaging
• Angiography
• Stent Graft of Aorta
• Arterial Embolization
• Electrophysiology Studies
• Catheter Ablation

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has participated in primary PCI as a research protocol since 1996. Based on its excellent outcomes for primary PCI, Shady Grove plans to pursue the next phase of this research protocol-elective PCI, which provides interventions for patients who are at risk for a heart attack due to blockages in their coronary arteries.

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, is a not-for-profit, acute care facility with 275 licensed beds that is located in Rockville, Maryland. Shady Grove is committed to delivering excellent health care through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. The hospital offers a broad range of health services and is recognized for excellence in emergency care; high-risk obstetrical and neonatal care; cardiac and vascular interventional care; as well as a broad range of surgical specialties. Also, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital for Children, which is located within Shady Grove Adventist Hospital encompasses a broad range of specialized services for children, including the first Pediatric Emergency Department in Montgomery County and the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the county. The Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center in Germantown opened in 2006 and is providing increased access to emergency medical care for upcounty residents. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is part of Rockville, Maryland-based Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery system that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.