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Pocono News Section
Healing Hearts in Record Time
Healing Hearts in Record Time - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 4:19PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 @ 04:19pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-
When it comes to heart attacks, saving time means saving lives. At Susquehanna Health's Heart and Vascular Institute in Williamsport, they're doing both.
Dr. Mark Sodums explained, "To stop the heart attack and minimize the amount of muscle damage, the key thing is to get the artery open as fast as possible."
Experts say patients should have their blocked arteries opened within 90 minutes to prevent serious damage or death. Susquehanna Health cardiologists have recently averaged less than 60 minutes.
It all starts with the EMT's in the ambulance. Emergency Services Dr. Gary Senula said, "One of the key things they do is they have some high tech equipment to alert us and send us a copy of the patient's EKG, before the patient even gets here."
That early information helps nurses, by allowing them to have an operating room prepped before the patient arrives. The nurses here have plenty of responsibilities.
Registered Nurse Amy Podolek noted, "Obviously get the artery open, but help the patient along, comfort them, and let them know that we're doing everything we can to help them out."
John Bartolomucci, of Montoursville, is recovering from a heart attack he suffered in April, and knows the quick treatment he received may have saved his life. Bartolomucci said, "(I was) taken right away into a room, my doctor, Dr. Sodums was there. They got me prepped and it was just very fast, very quick."
Everyone here at Susquehanna Health agrees their team approach to treating heart attack patients is instrumental to their success.
Dr. Sodums added, "People out there who think they're having a heart attack, don't sit at home and don't procrastinate, because time is muscle and that's key for survival."
The 90 minute benchmark for opening a clogged artery is recommended by the American College of Cardiology. Susquehanna Health doctors say they'll strive to continue eclipsing the 60 minute mark.
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