CMH brings cutting-edge vascular care to community

Region's top surgeons collaborate with hospital to create center

"We're very excited to bring the region's top vascular surgeons to our community," said Calvert Memorial Hospital President and CEO Jim Xinis. "Local residents will benefit greatly from the improved access now available at the Center for Vascular Care at CMH."

According to Xinis, the center is the outcome of a new alliance with Washington Hospital Center, whose reputation for excellence in the cardiovascular field is nationally recognized. In July, U.S. News & World Report, once again named it among "America's Best Hospitals" for cardiovascular care.

"Arrangements like this are the wave of the future," said Dr. Sean O'Donnell, director of vascular surgery at Washington Hospital Center. "CMH has the advanced technology to provide the same level of metropolitan care right here (in Calvert)."

"In the last decade, there's been a significant shift toward minimally invasive procedures," said O'Donnell. "What used to require a hospital stay of a week or more can now be done as a same-day procedure."

Today, he explained, blockages in the arteries or veins caused by the build up of plaque can be treated with balloon angioplasty, placement of stents, and thrombolysis (the use of clot busting drugs), all through a small incision, usually in the groin. Typically, the procedure is done while using local or regional anesthesia, which results in less pain and a shorter recovery.

"The center is a significant addition to CMH," said Dr. Emad Al-Banna, chief of the medical staff at CMH. "Our patients won't have to travel as far or wait as long to see vascular specialists. It is an issue of convenience and safety E especially for those who need immediate attention."

In the case, when a patient does need to be transferred to Washington Hospital Center for a condition that requires a more complicated procedure or a longer hospitalization, O'Donnell said, the pre-op and follow-up care can still be done at CMH.

"That continuity of care is a major advantage," he said. "We can close the gap between tertiary and community hospitals. Better communication translates to better patient care."

"Our group is a tertiary practice," said O'Donnell, "We're used to dealing with a broad spectrum of vascular problems. We can bring all that expertise to Calvert." Additionally, because Washington Hospital Center conducts clinical research, he said, we are able to provide patients with access to cutting-edge technology.

At present, O'Donnell along with three other members of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Group at the Washington Hospital Center see patients on a rotating basis two days a week at CMH. The team also includes board-certified vascular surgeons, Dr. Cameron Akbari, Dr. Frederick Beavers and Dr. Bruce Smith.

When they are not on campus, the surgeons are immediately available round-the-clock through the MedSTAR ONE CALL service. The state-of-the-art communications center identifies the caller's needs, contacts the appropriate physician, sends the MedSTAR helicopter, if needed and arranges for any resources that will be required at Washington Hospital Center upon arrival.

Joining them is nurse practitioner Donna Norris, RN, MSN, CRNT, who has 20 years of cardiovascular nursing experience. She will work full-time at the Center for Vascular Care at CMH. Her role is to help coordinate care. According to O'Donnell, the group hopes to add a full-time physician at CMH within the next year or so.

"We look at this as the beginning of a growing relationship," he said. "As the need expands, so will the program."

These physicians are complemented by the cardiovascular services already in place at CMH. These include the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, the Non-Invasive Vascular Lab and the Center for Wound Healing.

Earlier this fall, Dr. Nancy S. Clark of Bay Vascular Surgery, joined the multi-disciplinary wound care program as medical director. The board-certified vascular surgeon has eight years experience treating patients with complex circulation or blood flow problems. She also sees patients one day per week in the Center for Vascular Care at CMH.

In addition, Dr. John Pietropaoli, a board-certified vascular surgeon who has been on the CMH active medical staff since 1999, will continue to see patients in his private practice in Prince Frederick.

Pictured (l-r) are Bruce Smith, MD, Donna Norris, CRNP, Sean O'Donnell, MD, Cameron Akbari, MD and Frederick Beavers, MD.

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