In 2017, Florida Medical Center, a campus of North Shore Medical Center, grew and adapted to better meet the needs of the dynamic communities it serves. The hospital was the first in the state of Florida to offer the recently cleared Troponin T Gen 5 blood test which aids in diagnosis of heart attacks. It also earned that “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” designation in HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality index. Below are some of the highlights from this past year.
As part of its commitment to better serve the community, The Heart Institute of Florida at Florida Medical Center proudly unveiled a new electrophysiology (EP) lab. The EP lab has some of the most cutting edge and state of the art equipment in South Florida. All of the procedures are performed by physicians with advanced training in heart rhythm disorders and are supported by a team of specially trained health care professionals, technicians, and nurses. The EP Lab includes equipment that minimizes the amount of radiation exposure to the patient and staff. The EP Lab Center is one of the few hospitals in Florida to offer the St. Jude ESI mapping system, which creates 3-D maps of a patient’s heart and is designed to help board-certified electrophysiologists navigate the heart by generating an extremely accurate 3-D map. The lab also features an 80-inch monitor to provide outstanding image quality and promote better visualization during electrophysiology procedures.
For patients experiencing emotional and psychological symptoms, such as severe depression, severe mania or catatonia, Florida Medical Center also began providing electro convulsive therapy (ECT) as an additional treatment option. ECT can be favorable in the treatment of psychiatric symptoms that have otherwise been unresponsive to traditional psychiatric medications. The electro convulsive therapy to the behavioral health services allows patients to have new options for all those that have been struggling with severe symptoms of depression.
The hospital achieved recognition as a Leader in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning (LGBTQ) Healthcare Equality by the Foundation of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States. The recently released designation is part of the latest edition of the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a national survey conducted annually that promotes equitable and inclusive care for LGBTQ patients and families. The designation is based on a health care facilities’ patient nondiscrimination policies, equal visitation policies, employment nondiscrimination policies and training for employees in LGBTQ patient-centered care.
In October, Florida Medical Center partnered with the City of Lauderdale Lakes for the Mayor’s Health Challenge. This 6-month long weight-loss challenge is free and is open to all residents of Lauderdale Lakes and Florida Medical Center employees. Florida Medical Center is offering a monthly weigh-in so participants can track their progress as well as offer a free screening and consultation with one of the hospital staff members on exercise, nutrition, blood pressure, cholesterol checks and weight loss surgery for those who meet the requirements.
We look forward to serving our community in 2018. Please make sure to like our Facebook page at Florida Medical Center and follow us on Twitter.
