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Annual Report 2005
Grand Things Are Happening in Health Care

One American dies every 30 seconds from heart disease. That’s more than 2,600 people per day. At least 250,000 people each year die of heart attacks before they reach a hospital.
Annual Report 2005
Letter from the Chairmen
Expansion and Renovation
Cardiology
Surgery
Cancer
Women’s Health
Research
Choosing the Right Doctor
Working at Grand View Hospital
Awards
Financial Summary
Expanding The Vision Campaign
Development
Annual Giving
Mission

Cardiology

Getting Life Back on Track with GVH’s
CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Are you recovering from heart attack, coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery? Do you have coronary disease? If so, you should consider Grand View Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. We’re helping individuals develop healthy habits to enhance their quality of life.

Working under the direction of your physician, our staff develops programs of exercise, education and lifestyle modification tailored to your specific needs and abilities. Through this program, you can expect to exercise on a medically supervised basis, 2-3 times per week for 6-12 weeks, depending on your medical needs.

To ensure your safety, our staff members (all trained in cardiac care) continually monitor your heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure while steadily working to build your endurance. The result? Enhanced strength, stamina, circulation, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. We even provide your physician with reports on your progress.

For more information, call: 215-453-4541. Medicare, Medical Assistance and most major insurance companies cover all or part of the program cost for those who qualify. Call your insurance company for your specific plan details.


Cardiovascular Disease: Differences between Men & Women
You may be aware that heart or cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart attack and stroke, hypertension and diabetes, is the nation’s leading killer of both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. In fact, nearly one million Americans die of CVD each year, comprising 42% of all deaths.

But did you know that gender plays a major role in heart disease? Let’s start by talking about women. Experts estimate that one in two women will die of heart disease, compared with one in 25 who will die of breast cancer. Heart disease is also the primary cause of death among women over age 65.

Research reveals significant differences between male and female survival rates following a heart attack. For example, 42% of women who suffer heart attacks die within one year, compared with 24% of men. This may be true because women tend to develop heart disease about 10 years later in life than men. They’re also more likely to have coexisting, chronic conditions.

Men may be diagnosed and treated more aggressively than women. This may occur partly because men typically experience chest pains that signal the start of a heart attack, while women are more likely to complain of shortness of breath, heart palpitations or back pain.

Approximately 35% of heart attacks in women go unnoticed or unreported. And even though women under age 50 have fewer heart attacks than men of the same age, they’re twice as likely to die of cardiovascular disease.

Consider these other important statistics:
  • Within six years after a heart attack, 35% of women (versus 18% of men) will have another attack, and 46% of women will experience heart failure (versus 22% of men).
  • A higher percentage of women than men age 50 and older have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher, a key risk factor for heart disease.


Dr. Todd Alderfer, Alderfer and Travis Cardiology
Strides in CARDIAC CARE
Grand View Hospital is noted for its cardiac care services. Many individuals who live outside the community come here to take advantage of our cardiology offerings. But what makes our services so attractive? The answer lies behind the scenes.

Grand View boasts a talented pool of heart specialists, and the number of cardiologists at Grand View has grown by one-third in the past year. The availabilty of their services means patients don’t have to leave the community for top-rate care. Patients also benefit from a highly skilled team that collaborates on cardiac issues so they receive an optimum level of expertise.

“It’s noteworthy that a community hospital like Grand View has been involved for many years in key clinical research addressing a broad range of cardiac issues.
I’m proud of our involvement in a worldwide effort to produce clinical evidence for better therapies and medications.”
Dr. Paul R. Hermany,
Chairman of Cardiology, GVH

Research is another area typically not considered when it comes to the level of care patients will receive. But within Grand View, cardiology is the largest area of active ongoing clinical research. In fact, we’ve been a leading site for some clinical trials in the country – enrolling the highest number of patients and obtaining significant data.

Currently, we’re involved in eight cardiac-related clinical trials – addressing topics like heart failure, heart attack, hypertension, arrhythmia and pacemakers. We’re also participating in a pharmaceutical study for a drug that raises good cholesterol levels. Clinical research at GVH provides patients with access to therapies and medications that may not be available anywhere else nearby, so they don’t have to travel to receive it.

You see, what lies behind the scenes in cardiology truly makes a difference for our patients. It keeps us sharp and it enables us to continue making major strides in cardiac care.


Up Close & Personal
Elizabeth Kopley (left, pictured with her husband, Jim) had been treated for a malfunctioning heart valve since she was a child. Several years ago, while she was being evaluated for heart surgery, Jim wished he could trade places with her. He got his wish. Ironically, Elizabeth’s evaluation determined she didn’t need surgery, but shortly thereafter, Jim underwent quadruple heart bypass.

Ever since his surgery in 2000, Jim has worked out religiously – 60-90 minutes, three days a week. He changed his diet, working with a GVH nutritionist, and follows the advice of his cardiologist, Dr. Michelle Stram of Bux-Mont Cardiology Associates.

“His example motivates me to exercise more,” Elizabeth says. “Because of the exercise, my heart has actually improved. I can keep up with my two active boys, a two-year-old and a nine-year-old.”


New CARDIAC CATH LAB to Open in February 2006
GVH is building a state-of-the-art Cardiac Cath Lab for catheterization and angioplasty. The modern lab will provide early intervention for persons with coronary heart disease and aid in the prevention and treatment of heart attack. A cath lab in our community will reduce time spent in transport. This is important because each minute that passes between the attack and the start of treatment increases the risk of permanent heart damage and death.

Cardiac Catheterization
This common nonsurgical procedure uses a thin flexible tube called a catheter to help diagnose or locate artery, valve or heart muscle problems.

Angioplasty
This procedure uses a catheter, with a balloon on the tip, to widen the artery passageway and allow blood to flow freely through the artery.

Grand New You
A Weight Management & Healthy Lifestyle Program Grand New You teaches individuals about healthy food and exercise choices that may lead to weight loss.

Led by a Grand View Hospital registered dietitian and a certified lifestyle and weight management consultant, the program offers nonjudgmental and nurturing support.

For more information, call: 215-453-4136.