Holy Family Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital to Launch Joint Primary (Emergency) Angioplasty Program

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Holy Family Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital
to Launch Joint Primary (Emergency) Angioplasty Program

Heart attack patients in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
will soon have rapid access to this emergency procedure known to save lives

Physicians and staff to receive advanced training on
State-of-the-Art “SimSuite” Mobile Cardiac Catheterization Lab on May 8, 2008

May 7, 2008— Lawrence and Methuen, Mass.— Holy Family Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital today announced that they are establishing a Joint Primary Angioplasty Program for patients suffering from a heart attack. Believed to be the first dual-hospital program of its kind in the state, the ability to treat heart attack victims immediately at either facility will help save lives in the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. Pending approval by the Department of Public Health, primary angioplasty will be available at both community hospitals in the summer of 2008.

Primary, or emergency, angioplasty is a life-saving procedure designed to open clogged arteries. Angioplasty, also referred to as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), involves inflating a tiny balloon at the site of the blockage to restore blood flow.

Approximately 200,000 people a year have heart attacks caused by blockages in arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), primary angioplasty can cut a patient’s risk of dying by 40 percent but only if it is done within 90 minutes of the patient’s arrival at the hospital. This “door-to-balloon” time window is critical.

The Joint Primary Angioplasty Program will be led by Sunit Muhkerjee, M.D., interventional cardiologist at Holy Family Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital, assisted by Jeffrey Popma, M.D., interventional cardiologist and Seth Bilazarian, M.D., from Pentucket Medical Associates. Dr. Popma also oversees the cardiac catheterization lab at Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. These experienced interventional cardiologists and a team of specially trained staff will perform primary angioplasty in the cardiac catheterization laboratories at both hospitals on alternating weekdays. During off hours and weekends, the team will be dispatched to whichever hospital is closest to the patient.

“Our ability to treat patients locally, rather than having to be transported miles away, can mean the difference between life and death for some heart attack patients,” said Dr. Muhkerjee, program director. “We believe this therapy will save lives and help prevent repeat heart attacks.”

State-of-the-Art Simulation Training on May 8, 2008
A Mobile Simulation Training Unit from Medical Simulation Corporation will visit Holy Family Hospital on May 8, 2008 to provide risk-free, hands-on training in primary angioplasty for Holy Family’s and Lawrence General Hospitals’ physicians and staff.

This Mobile Training Unit is a fully outfitted cardiac cath lab housed in a 35-foot bus. It uses virtual imaging and hands-on training to replicate a variety of patient cases. The “SimSuite” enables practitioners to “perform” complex, challenging procedures using the latest devices and techniques in a risk-free environment before treating actual patients in a real-world setting.

“This mobile simulator brings the latest treatment methods and technologies right to our door,” said Popma. “This kind of simulation training not only gives us a unique opportunity to learn the latest techniques but also allows us to hone our skills in a risk-free environment. It is essential that our team is trained in how to manage these very ill patients. Just like a pilot who trains in a flight simulator, our team will learn to anticipate any potential challenges that may occur,” said Popma.

Members of the media are invited to Holy Family Hospital between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on May 8th to:

Tour Medical Simulation Corporation’s state-of-the-art “SimSuite”; photos and B-roll available.
See demonstrations of sophisticated training and treatment technology.
Learn from clinical and hospital experts; one-on-one interviews available.

About Caritas Holy Family Hospital

Holy Family Hospital is a 271-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving 20 communities throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. Holy Family is a fully accredited facility and proudly received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. For over 50 years, Holy Family Hospital has offered the community advanced medical care, close to home. Holy Family Hospital is a member of Caritas Christi Health Care, the second largest healthcare system in New England. For more information about the hospital's programs and services visit www.holyfamilyhosp.org.

About Lawrence General Hospital

Founded in 1875, Lawrence General Hospital is a locally-controlled, 189-bed, private not-for-profit hospital serving the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. The Hospital is accredited by the The Joint Commission. With 1,400 employees, Lawrence General is the largest private employer in Lawrence and a teaching hospital, operating a collaborative residency program with Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. More information about Lawrence General can be obtained at www.lawrencegeneral.org.

Media Contacts:

Anna Frankenfield / Danielle Perry
Holy Family Hospital
978-687-0156 x2659 / x2720

Barbara Keller
Lawrence General Hospital
978-946-8122