10 Years of the Gill Affiliate Network: Harrison Memorial Hospital
The Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network launched in 2014 to better connect community hospitals across the Commonwealth with the expertise and resources available at UK HealthCare. Throughout 2024, UK HealthCare is highlighting achievements by the 23 members of the Gill Affiliate Network as part of the network’s 10th anniversary celebration.
Harrison Memorial Hospital became the fourth Gill Affiliate Network member on July 1, 2016. In operation since 1906, HMH is an independent, not-for-profit hospital with 61 beds serving communities in the surrounding area.
What are key aspects of your cardiovascular program that people should know about?
Harrison Memorial Hospital offers a comprehensive cardiovascular program. The program includes diagnostic and interventional cardiology services, as well as a complete cardiac rehabilitation program. HMH since 2018 has been accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention).
HMH Cardiology Services is staffed by two cardiologists: Dr. Matthew Shotwell, an interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Yaz Daaboul, a diagnostic cardiologist specializing in advanced cardiac imaging. Additionally, the HMH Cardiology Clinic has four advanced practice providers who see patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
HMH's cardiac catheterization lab offers a range of procedures, including diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations, peripheral studies and interventions, and placement of pacemakers and defibrillators.
For diagnostic purposes, HMH provides various cardiac tests, including magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear cardiac stress imaging, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA), tilt table tests, short-term and long-term heart rhythm monitors, and electrocardiograms. Patients can also receive Holter monitors, event monitors, and implantable event monitors for tracking cardiac patterns.
The hospital also offers a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program to help patients with heart disease recover and return to optimal health and lifestyle. The program involves collaboration among specially trained respiratory therapists and other health professionals to provide coordinated care for rehabilitation.
Overall, HMH's cardiovascular program aims to provide high-quality cardiac care through a range of services, expert staff, and specialized programs for both diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall health of the community.
How has being a part of the Gill Affiliate Network influenced how you care for those in your community?
Through the network, HMH has gained access to a wide range of resources, support, and collaborative opportunities that enhance our ability to provide high-quality cardiovascular care to our community members.
The network has facilitated access to specialized training, education and professional development opportunities for our staff members involved in cardiac care. This has resulted in an improvement in the skills and knowledge of our healthcare professionals, enabling them to deliver more effective and specialized care to our patients. Also, the network has provided administrative and logistical support during challenging situations, such as national shortages of essential supplies like IV contrast. This support has ensured that HMH can continue to deliver uninterrupted care to our patients, even during difficult circumstances.
Being part of the network has enabled HMH to participate in collaborative initiatives and community outreach programs aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular health and preventive measures. Through joint efforts with the Gill Affiliate Network, HMH has been able to reach a broader audience and provide valuable information and resources to our community members, ultimately contributing to better heart health outcomes.
These are just a few of the other things made possible through the network:
- The planning and coordination of two in-service sessions on balloon pump nursing care for new cath lab, ICU RNs and house supervisors. These sessions ensure that staff members are well-trained and equipped to provide optimal care to patients requiring balloon pump therapy.
- Coordinating the initial quality meeting to discuss the structure of the Network Quality Program and new metric reporting/benchmarking features. This has provided valuable insights and strategies for improving our quality of care and benchmarking our performance against industry standards.
- The availability of UK HealthCare cardiologists to provide imaging interpretation when needed has enabled us to provide uninterrupted, high-quality, timely care for our patients.
