The dedicated surgical team at Spring Valley Hospital performs surgery in new operating suites specifically designed for cardiovascular and thoracic procedures.

The community's newest option to undergo sophisticated, lifesaving cardiovascular and thoracic surgery is at Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center. Healthcare professionals at Spring Valley Hospital spent more than a year planning and designing a comprehensive, open-heart surgery program that brings a high level of surgical services and care to the community.

"We now offer all aspects of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Spring Valley Hospital," said J.E. "Rick" Martin Jr., MD, a board-certified cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and Medical Director of Spring Valley Hospital's open-heart program. "Patients receive care from an experienced and dedicated team of professionals who perform all procedures offered through the program. I strive to provide my patients excellence in surgery with my precision and attention to detail."

An Array of Services
The new program means that patients who need surgery for blocked coronary arteries, abdominal aortic aneurysms or esophageal conditions can have their procedures close to home. Some of the routine and complex procedures available at Spring Valley Hospital include:

• Cardiac procedures -- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery and heart valve repair and replacement procedures
• Thoracic surgery -- Surgery to treat lung or esophageal disorders
• Vascular surgery -- Major surgery to repair aortic aneurysms in the abdomen or chest, carotid endarectomies and revascularizations for arterial insufficiency in the legs

A Dedicated Surgical Team
Many hospitals rely on multiple surgeons and large operating room (OR) staffs, so their surgical teams vary from day to day. That's not the case at the new open-heart surgery program.

"We've taken a unique approach and assembled an OR team that works with our surgeons during all procedures," said Bill Edwards, RN, Clinical Supervisor of the open-heart surgery program at Spring Valley Hospital. "Team members have a great deal of skill and experience, they work well together and they know what needs to be done to provide patients with exceptional care."

Fully Integrated OR Suites
Instead of reconfiguring surgery rooms to accommodate their needs, new operating suites were specifically designed and constructed for cardiovascular and thoracic procedures.

The suites are fully integrated with flat-panel monitors, including a 42-inch plasma display, strategically located throughout the rooms. The surgeon, the anesthesiologist and the OR staff can easily view patients' vital signs, diagnostic tests and real-time images of patients' anatomy as the surgery progresses. In addition, the suites are equipped with exciting technology -- a heart-lung pump and a continuous autotransfusion system -- that supports the program's minimal blood loss philosophy.

"We're using the most modern technology available to conserve patients' own blood for re-infusion and reduce the need for blood transfusions during surgery," said Elly Simpson, RN, Director of Surgical Services. "Using less donated blood is safer for patients. It also will help ease the strain caused by the city's current blood shortage."

"Many patients prefer not to be exposed to donor blood if at all possible, and some patients refuse all blood transfusions for personal or religious reasons," Dr. Martin said. "We're able to accommodate patients' preferences for little or no donated blood products. In addition, patients who have fewer blood transfusions tend to do better, so our blood-conservation technology may help improve patient outcomes."

High-Quality Care for Critical Patients
Since the hospital opened more than four years ago, it has grown along with the community. While the open-heart surgery program is new, the hospital already has a solid infrastructure in place to care for critical patients.

"We have a well-established cardiac catheterization lab and intermediate and intensive care units where staff provide patients with optimal care based on national evidence-based guidelines," said Stevee Sadama, RN, MBA, Manager of the Intensive Care Unit. "Our processes for caring for critical patients are well-tested so we're able to give open-heart surgery patients safe, efficient, personal and compassionate care."

For a complimentary heart kit, please call 388-4888. To find out more about open-heart surgery and other services at Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, please visit www.springvalleyhospital.net.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106