As 2015 comes to a close, Martin Health is grateful to the communities within Martin and St. Lucie counties for their generous support that allows our organization to stay on top of cutting-edge technologies and advancements in health care delivery. During the past year, we have been fortunate to launch many new programs, procedures and expansions, thanks to the generosity of our donors and friends. Highlights from this year include the following:
A New Patient Experience Office
Martin Health System created an office of patient experience to work with all areas of the organization on strategy development and implementation of patient satisfaction initiatives and management of Press Ganey surveys. As an important facet of health care management that can drive safety, quality and operational performance, the patient experience team is launching new initiatives designed to promote optimal outcomes that will engage every associate, physician and volunteer within the organization. The team’s goal is to advance a culture of patient-centered care that is responsive, compassionate and committed to excellence.
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at Martin Health Increases Capacity
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at Martin Health added 10 more patient beds in August, bringing the total number of beds to 44. The inpatient rehabilitation hospital is an alternative to a nursing home for post-hospital care and offers intensive rehabilitation for the following: stroke; hip fracture; spinal cord injury; congenital deformity; amputation; major multiple trauma; brain injury; burns; neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. “As a partner in this joint venture, Martin Health is committed to seeing this hospital continue to expand to meet the community’s needs,” said Rob Lord, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Martin Health. “Our goal is to ensure none of our patients have to leave town to be admitted to a rehabilitation hospital.”
Breaking Ground for Phase II at Tradition Medical Center
On October 21, leaders from Martin Health and the Port St. Lucie community kicked off the expansion of Tradition Medical Center with a groundbreaking and breakfast. The event followed the announcement that Martin Health would be adding 170,000 square feet and three stories to the facility. When completed in 2018, Tradition Medical Center will double in size, with a total of nine stories, 90 new patient rooms and these added services: cardiac catherization lab; interventional radiology and vascular procedures; expanded maternity, neonatal intensive care and emergency departments; and an 18-bed observation unit designed to improve the flow of emergency patients who require hospitalization. A new outpatient surgery center and medical office building will also be constructed alongside the hospital.
Martin Health and Fitness Centers Now Certified for Medical Fitness
In November 2015, the four Martin Health and Fitness Centers became the first and only fitness facilities in Florida to achieve certification from the Medical Fitness Association. This medical fitness certification is only awarded to health care systems that demonstrate a continuum of care from their service lines to their fitness centers. The ultimate goal of Martin Health’s Medical Fitness program is to bridge the gap between health care and fitness for individuals referred from cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as post-bariatric and post-rehabilitation services. Clients receive customized personal training from a certified fitness specialist to support the post-rehab stages of their recovery, reduce health risks and achieve their physical fitness goals.
Orbera Intragastric Balloon
The Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Martin Health began offering a new weight-loss procedure—the ORBERA® Intragastric Balloon. Orbera was designed as a non-surgical method to help fight obesity and treat patients before their disease progresses and requires more invasive treatments. To be eligible for this procedure, patients must have a body mass index of 30 – 40. The procedure is done in an endoscopy setting while the patient is under a mild sedative. The thin, deflated Orbera balloon is placed into the patient’s stomach and then filled with saline until it is approximately the size of a grapefruit. In most cases, the procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes and the patient goes home the same day. Six months later, another non-surgical procedure is done to deflate and remove the balloon. “In order to be successful, patients need to stay on the program for another six months following the balloon’s removal,” said Richard Follwell, DO, bariatric surgeon. “We offer a comprehensive program to support the patient. This includes a psychological evaluation, consults with a dietitian, and monthly and one-year follow-ups.”
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
The Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Health now offers an advanced alternative for radiation treatment for women in the early stages of breast cancer. Intraoperative radiation therapy, more commonly known as IORT, offers treatment in a single session of high-intensity, highly targeted radiation administered at the time of lumpectomy surgery. While the standard method of radiation therapy requires daily radiation to the whole breast for up to seven weeks, treatment with IORT can take as little as eight minutes. A complete dose of highly localized radiation is delivered directly into the tumor site when the patient is undergoing breast surgery. “The greatest benefit with IORT is that we are able to reduce the volume and dose of radiation to the normal surrounding tissue,” said Kiran Reddy, MD, radiation oncologist. “As a result, we can minimize damage to the healthy tissue and reduce side effects for our patients.”
