(August 23, 2010) Sellersville, PA - Grand View Hospital announced today that it has added a new Critical Care Specialist group dedicated to the needs of critically ill and injured patients.

Known as intensivists, these physicians are focused on helping critically ill and injured patients to recover faster and with fewer complications. The intensivists are now managing care at Grand View seven days a week, providing close monitoring and support to patients in the Intensive/Coronary Care Unit (ICCU).

“Critically ill patients are vulnerable to a variety of medical complications,” according to Edward Gray, DO, who leads the group. “By identifying issues as they arise, we can administer care before conditions worsen, helping improve patient outcomes and shortening hospital stays.”

In addition to monitoring and managing a patient’s condition, intensivists conduct daily multi-disciplined rounds with dieticians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other specialists. This facilitates communication of a patient’s care plan among all health care providers, and provides an opportunity to address patient and family concerns. The intensivist also coordinates the overall care delivered by surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, and other specialists while the patient recovers in ICCU. “Our goal in adding critical care specialists is to bring more efficient care and improve outcomes, something we will track with metrics over time, “ added Jane Ferry, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Grand View Hospital. “This is a collaborative approach to care delivery, which we are pleased to provide the community.”

Intensivists are board-certified physicians and have training in critical care medicine. To obtain board certification, intensivists receive additional fellowship training following board certification in a primary specialty. Grand View Hospital’s Intensivist Group comprises the following critical care specialists:

Edward Gray, DO, has been named Medical Director of Grand View Hospital’s new Intensivists Group. Dr. Gray is board certified in internal and critical care medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at North Shore University Hospital and went on to complete his fellowship in critical care medicine at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Gray is a graduate of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Michael Lagnese, DO, has board certification in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine. Dr. Lagnese completed a rotating internship at Atlantic City Medical Center, a residency in internal medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital, and a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at Temple University. He is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Thomas Yuhas, MD, is board certified in general surgery, surgery critical care, and vascular surgery. He completed a residency in general surgery at the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine where he also served as chief resident. Dr. Yuhas completed a fellowship in surgical care at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Stephen Matchett, MD, is board certified in internal and critical care medicine and completed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Yale University. He attended University of Rochester School of Medicine and completed his residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York, where he served as chief resident.

Grand View Hospital, Bucks County’s first hospital, has provided residents of Bucks and Montgomery counties with comprehensive health care services since 1913. Grand View offers a range of inpatient and outpatient care – particularly emphasizing the areas of surgery and orthopaedics, women's and children's health, cancer treatment, and heart care.

Grand View Hospital received five stars in 2010 for total knee replacement from HealthGrades®, the nation’s leading healthcare ratings organization. Grand View is also the only hospital in Bucks and Montgomery counties to receive a five-star rating in total joint replacement in 2010. This is not the first time that Grand View has been honored by HealthGrades. In 2008 and 2009, HealthGrades® awarded Grand View the Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety™. The American Stroke Association also recently awarded Grand View Hospital its Get With The GuidelinesSM–Stroke (GWTG–Stroke) Gold Performance Achievement Award.