Media Archives, 2010

Regional Medical Center's Electrophysiology Celebrates Two Milestones: EP Lab celebrates 12th Anniversary and 200th Atrial Fibrillation Ablation(2/10)

This February, Regional Medical Center's Electrophysiology (EP) Lab celebrates two milestones - its 12th Anniversary and its 200th atrial fibrillation ablation.
Twelve years ago, Dr. Sergio Cossu, a local electrophysiologist, opened Regional's EP lab, training a dedicated EP staff. The EP staff now consists of two registered nurses (Dennis Alvaro, RN and JoAnne Formicola, RN); one EP tech (Ross Hoogenstyn); and one licensed practical nurse who is also the EP lab manager (Gayle Lee, LPN). Brenda Neuman, RTR, is the Cardiovascular Department manager. Don Wilson is the Cardiovascular Department director.

The advancement of electrophysiology over the years has saved many lives. EP has grown from the implantation of a single chamber pacemaker to a bi-ventricular intracardiac defibrillator, and from an EP study for diagnosing an arrhythmia to complex atrial fibrillation ablations.
Dr. Sidney Peykar, another local electrophysiologist, has elevated the bar for ablations in Southwest Alabama. He has traveled to Bordeaux, France to train with Dr. Haissaguerre and Dr. Jais, who are the world's best in atrial fibrillation ablations. Dr. Peykar performed the first atrial fibrillation ablation in County on February 29, 2008. Since then, Dr. Peykar has performed more than 200 atrial fibrillation ablations and more than 400 cardiac ablations.

This summer, Peykar will be joined by Dr. Juan Carlos Estrada. Estrada is currently finishing his two year electrophysiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University and will join Peykar, becoming the second electrophysiologist to perform atrial fibrillation ablations. He will attend the event on February 15th with his wife Christina who is a Pediatric Emergency Room physician.

Regional's EP lab is a premier lab and currently the only electrophysiology lab in Southwest Alabama to offer atrial fibrillation ablations. It will soon have three electrophysiologists working with the skilled and dedicated team.

Saving Lives - Regional's "ER Extra" Program emphasizes extra fast, extra easy, extra great patient care and customer service(2/10)

Recently, ER Extra care saved a young man's life. Three weeks ago, 19-year-old Robert Plouse called his mother, Irisa Roylance, complaining of tingling in his hands and feet. He thought it was an allergic reaction to something. Irisa told her son to take some Benadryl. Unfortunately, the Benadryl didn't work and Robert began to feel numbness in his back. Robert visited two different emergency rooms, but was turned away with a shrug when blood tests didn't show anything wrong. Frustrated when her son seemed to be getting worse, Irisa called an ambulance. This time, Robert was discharged from the ER with what emergency room personnel thought was a bladder infection, his parents carrying Robert to the car upon discharge because young Robert was too weak to walk.

Frustration set in. Irisa called 911, asking them to take her son to Regional Medical Center. They had not yet been to Regional, and Irisa was hoping that an examination there would produce results that, so far, countless emergency room visits had been unable to generate.

Upon entering Regional's Emergency Department, "ER Extra" care immediately began. Without delay, Robert was placed in a room, and the triage process started. Right away, the ER nurse noticed something wasn't quite right, and the ER physician, Dr. Kendal Stiles, began his evaluation. Stiles noted that Robert was swallowing excessively; his voice was weak; and he had trouble just moving around in the bed. The physician ordered an MRI of Robert's brain and a spinal tap.

Because of the rapid and knowledgeable "ER Extra" care, Robert obtained a diagnosis. Unfortunately, although she was able to finally get the help she so desperately wanted for Robert, Irisa was heartbroken to find out that there was something seriously wrong with her son.

Robert was diagnosed with Guillain- Barré Syndrome. Guillain- Barré Syndrome is an uncommon disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nervous system. Weakness and numbness in the extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing the entire body. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years.

Within a few short hours of arrival, Robert had not only a diagnosis, but also had treatment initiated. At this time Robert remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition. His mother has been at his bedside since he arrived. "I am extremely grateful for the quick 'ER Extra' care that Robert received. He's been given superb care, and the nursing staff has even consoled me in my times of need," said Irisa. "It's like being with a loving family."

"ER Extra" is a revolutionary emergency room experience aimed at making sure patients get the care they need in a prompt and courteous manner. The implementation of "ER Extra" at Regional Medical Center streamlines the process while simultaneously keeping patients and their families informed about what to expect.

"A smooth visit from start to finish is our goal at Regional and 'ER Extra' is giving our staff, nurses, and physicians the necessary tools to make this a reality for each and every patient we meet," said CEO Brad Nurkin.

Regional is very focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its emergency room operations and understands that no one wants to wait in an emergency situation. "We've always prided ourselves on excellent patient care and customer service, but as new techniques are designed and implemented, we predict we will be able to exceed our visitors' expectations through 'ER Extra'," Nurkin continued.

ER Extra has helped Regional reduce its patient registration to physician times to below the national average of 56 minutes. "With ER Extra we have seen higher patient satisfaction scores because our patients see a physician faster and leave the emergency room sooner," said Shannon McKusick, director of emergency services. "We will continue to look for opportunities to further enhance the ease of an emergency room visit and will implement those as we find them."

"Naturally no one wants to think about needing emergency services. However, we want the residents of County to know that if they do, 'ER Extra' at Regional will give them the extra fast, extra easy, and extra great care they deserve," McKusick said.