ON International Heart Day today it is a timely reminder that with all the expertise and latest in technology at our fingertips at Orange hospital, it is important not to ignore the warning signs of a heart attack.
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A family’s distress reported in today’s edition is a story health professionals at the hospital and paramedics hear far too often.
Not only do our paramedics tell us regularly of warning signs ignored by potential heart attack vitims, but also of people who make the decision to drive themselves to hospital, not only reducing their chances of survival if they have a heart attack, but putting other motorists on the road at risk.
Orange boasts a cardio catheter laboratory and cardiac team that rivals any in a metropolitan area, supported by a 24-hour seven day a week team of cardiologists and specialist heart nurses.
Six months ago the chances of survival of heart patients from outside Orange was also greatly enhanced with the NSW Ambulance helicopter finally moving to a 24-hour operation, enabling heart patients to be flown in any time of day for life saving treatment.
The cardiac unit at Orange hospital now treats 35 patients a week who potentially could have died from a heart attack, but with lifesaving intervention undergo a stenting procedure.
Adding to the chances of survival is the innovative technology which has been operating in Orange ambulances since the beginning of the year.
It allows our paramedics to relay heart diagnosis data while a patient is being treated and transported, directly to the iPhone of a cardiologist and to the computers in the coronary unit adding more weight to the argument you should never drive yourself to hospital.
Before a patient arrives in an ambulance the cardio team have all the relevant data on their patient and are ready to swing into action the moment the patient comes through the emergency department doors and is wheeled straight into the cardiology unit.
Let’s not forget too on International Heart Day the incredible effort in Orange and the central west that went into raising funds in the community to originally set up a heart catheter laboratory at the former Orange Base Hospital, which has transferred into a more expansive and high-tech environment with a larger team at the new hospital.