Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine is pleased to announce today it has opened a new comprehensive 16-bed Cardiovascular Unit for patients with heart and vascular conditions. The specialized unit is the first of its kind in Tarrant County and features the universal bed concept where patients stay in one room during their hospitalization with the appropriate level of care brought to them.

“Our dedicated Cardiovascular Unit will set the standard for patient and family-centered care units in our region,” said Doug Lawson, president. “This new addition will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care and is a critical element in our effort to improve cardiovascular care for our community.”

Benefits of the Cardiovascular Unit:

• Nurse to patient ratio is based on patient acuity. This close personal care by a cardiovascular nurse at the bedside will improve patient care and reduce hospital stay.
• Patient and family is cared for by the same staff throughout their stay, creating a more comfortable environment.
• Patients stay in the same room from admission through discharge, which eliminates errors that may occur with unit to unit hand off.
• Open visitation allows patient’s family to come and go more freely once the patient’s condition has stabilized.
• Sleeping facilities with sofa beds are available in each room to provide families comfort when sleeping overnight.
• Each room is designed to accommodate the family. Providing this kind of environment for the family helps staff keep them informed and involved in the patient’s care and recovery. This is important when the patient is discharged and may need extra care from family at home.

The Cardiovascular Unit features:

• Physiological EKG touch screen heart monitors in each room with a centralized monitor at the nurse’s station for technicians to watch for changes in heart rhythm. Portable pocket monitors are also available for patients to walk around the unit.
• Work stations with computers are in each room for nurses who need to monitor patients closely after surgery. Work stations with computers are also available outside the rooms.
• Monitors at the bedside provide continuous, reliable and accurate assessment of multiple hemodynamic parameters for critical care and surgery patients.
• Flat screen televisions in each room for added comfort with the capability to pull up the patient’s cardiac catheterization or X-ray images for the physician to view and discuss with the patient.
• Multiple medication rooms on the unit allow quick access to medications.
• Updated nurse-call system installed in each room.
• Ceiling lifts are available in several rooms for ease of moving patients.

The Cardiovascular Unit is staffed by a skilled multidisciplinary cardiovascular team including nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, care coordinators, social workers and physical therapists.

“This caring and knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping our patients recover faster after a heart surgery or cardiac procedure,” said Terri Scamardo, director of the cardiovascular service line. “We are very excited about the increased level of care we are now able to provide.”

In 2008, Baylor Grapevine received full Cycle II chest pain with PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. This recognition attests to the hospital’s commitment to provide quality cardiac care and achieve excellence in cardiovascular outcomes.

Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine is a full-service, fully-accredited not-for-profit hospital serving residents in more than 20 cities throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth region. Focused on being the best place to give and receive quality, safe and compassionate care, Baylor Grapevine works to lead the transformation of health care. The 233-bed hospital offers advanced medical services for cardiovascular services, women’s services, diagnostic imaging, neonatal intensive care, sleep disorders, intensive and emergency care.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, Baylor Health Care System reported $446 million in community benefit, which includes providing care for charity patients and patients enrolled in government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the unreimbursed costs of medical education, research and community programs.  Total community benefit was calculated in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 311.