FALL 2020

IT’S YOUR HEALTH INSIDE: 3) Heart health by the numbers 6) Our cardiac rehab program put a heart attack survivor on the road to recovery 7) Honoring Roberta Veloz’s lasting legacy

Care When It Counts Most Henry Mayo’s designated STEMI Receiving Center provides critical treatment for heart attack patients

WELCOME Every three years, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, working with community partners, conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to determine the most pressing health needs in the Santa Clarita Valley. Our 2019 CHNA identified heart disease as the second leading cause of death in our area; it is the leading cause of death nationwide.

Henry Mayo’s New Prostate Treatment Henry Mayo now offers prostatic artery embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive treatment that can help improve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.

When someone has a heart attack, time is of the essence. In this issue, you can read about Henry Mayo’s heart attack treatment program, and why our fast “door-toballoon” time is so important. For serious heart attacks that require surgery, having a top surgical team on hand is critical. Finally, a cardiac rehabilitation program is key to a patient’s recovery. Take David Steinfeld, profiled on page 6: He suffered a heart attack in 2018, had open-heart surgery and began participating in Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Many patients join Steinfeld in his praise of cardiac rehab.

The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body). Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH is not cancer, can’t spread and doesn’t increase the risk of prostate cancer. BPH is common, and its prevalence increases with age. More than 50% of all men in their 60s and as many as 90% of men over 70 have some symptoms of BPH. This condition causes lower urinary tract symptoms such as urinary frequency, incomplete emptying of the bladder, inability to urinate, pain with urination, urinary incontinence and more.

Sadly, in our current situation, some people have ignored heart attack signs and symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing a cardiac event, please call 911 immediately. We have taken many precautions to ensure the safety of our patients. You will be Safe in Our Care.

During a PAE, patients are given medication to help them relax. They remain awake and comfortable during the procedure. The physician uses a slender, flexible tube (catheter) to inject tiny embolic agents into the arteries that supply blood to the enlarged prostate. This reduces the flow of blood through these vessels and causes the prostate to shrink. Patients typically experience relief within days of the procedure as the prostate shrinks. This relieves the pressure on the urethra and improves urinary tract symptoms. To read about a Henry Mayo patient who underwent a life-changing PAE procedure, visit henrymayo.com/pae and click on “Cesar’s Story.” For more information, call 661.200.1650. IYH

Roger E. Seaver President and CEO Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital 23845 McBean Parkway Valencia, CA 91355 661.200.2000 henrymayo.com

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Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Sumusunod ang Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital sa mga naaangkop na Pederal na batas sa karapatang sibil at hindi nandidiskrimina batay sa lahi, kulay, bansang pinagmulan, edad, kapansanan o kasarian. It’s Your Health is produced by the Marketing Department at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and is provided free to the community. This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise or dietary guidelines. 2020. Reproduction of this publication or use of its contents without written permission is prohibited. For reprint permission, to subscribe or unsubscribe, or to submit ideas for future issues of It’s Your Health, please contact the editor at crawfordmj@henrymayo.com or 661.200.1305.

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Some photographs in this issue were taken before social distancing measures and masking policies were put in place.

COVER: JOHN LAZAR T O P R I G H T: C AT H E R I N E Y E U L E T

“To improve the health of our community through compassion and excellence in healthcare services.” V I S I O N : “To create the ideal patient-centered environment to surpass expectations.” V A L U E S : Quality, Safety, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Respect. MISSION:

NE WS AND NOTES

STATE OF THE HEART

A NUMERICAL LOOK AT CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

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Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death in the Santa Clarita Valley.

47% The percentage of Americans who have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

647,000

SHUTTERSTOCK

The number of Americans who die from heart disease each year, equal to one in every four deaths.

1 in 5

50%

The approximate number of silent heart attacks, meaning that damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.

The percentage of adults in the United States who have some type of cardiovascular disease.

40 seconds Approximately how often someone in the U.S. has a heart attack.

5 signs of heart attack 1. Chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away after a few minutes 2. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back 3. Weakness, light-headedness or nausea 4. Pain or discomfort in the shoulders or arms 5. Shortness of breath

30.3 million The number of adults diagnosed with heart disease in the U.S., as of 2018.

Sources: American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, JAMA Cardiology

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Heidi Ruff, RN, Henry Mayo’s Prehospital Care Coordinator, serves as the liaison between Henry Mayo and prehospital providers.

When Time Is of FOR STEMI the Essence PATIENTS, EVERY MINUTE COUNTS

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t’s several hours into the night shift when George*, RN, a mobile intensive care nurse, receives a radio call from paramedics saying that an elderly man has suffered a severe heart attack. After confirming that the EKG shows a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) with 100% blockage of the heart artery, it’s all hands on deck.

Henry Mayo’s Emergency Department (ED) and Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) teams quickly prepare for the patient’s arrival, so he can undergo an emergency procedure to reestablish blood flow to his heart as soon he arrives. The procedure involves inserting a catheter and balloon to possibly place a stent in his blocked artery.

This is just another night for the STEMI team, when “time is of the essence and everyone is in sync to prevent irreversible heart damage,” according to Cardiovascular Services Coordinator Tamar Avakian, RN.

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JOHN LAZAR

Upon arrival, the patient is whisked from the ED to the Cath Lab, where an interventional cardiologist, cardiovascular nurses and technologists have mobilized. About an hour after the initial call, the patient is recovering from the procedure with blood flow restored.

Roberta G. Veloz Cardiovascular Center ■ L.A.

County STEMI Receiving Center that is prepared to care for heart attack victims 24/7

Henry Mayo is one of 35 hospitals designated as a STEMI Receiving Center (SRC) by Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services. To be an SRC, a hospital must show it has the staff, expertise and equipment to serve patients within 90 minutes of a STEMI EKG reading—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Last year, Henry Mayo ranked No. 3 among SRCs in the county, with an average treatment time of 65 minutes. “We’ve gotten faster as we’ve worked with L.A. County Fire Department and other prehospital providers to improve our time,” Avakian said. Avakian has led Henry Mayo’s SRC since its designation in 2013. To enhance quality and efficiency, “we’re always looking at data and our performance, breaking down every step of the process,” she said, noting the hospital treats about 80 to 100 STEMI patients each year. Approximately 75% of heart attack patients arrive by ambulance and in response to 911 calls, so Henry Mayo works closely with paramedics on prehospital procedures and protocols. Heidi Ruff, RN, Prehospital Care Coordinator, serves as the liaison between Henry Mayo and prehospital providers, including paramedics and medical transportation companies. Her responsibilities involve making sure these providers can accurately identify and treat this specific subset of heart attack patients and transport them to the appropriate destination. “Education is key because we want to truly identify those who need immediate intervention. We’ve created a well-oiled machine, from prehospital to the ED, Cath Lab and inpatient units,” Ruff said. Mobile intensive care nurses (MICNs) are the first point of contact between paramedics and the hospital. MICNs are registered nurses with advanced prehospital training and can give medical orders over the radio to field responders. Before the COVID-19 crisis, Ruff visited several fire stations each month to review STEMI cases, and identify delays and how the team could further improve their “door-to-balloon time.” However, the pandemic has made these reviews more challenging as well as created concerns that people with serious health events, such as heart attacks and strokes, are avoiding hospitals. “With the pandemic, we’re seeing that heart attack patients are coming to the hospital in more critical condition,” Avakian said. “They may be having chest pains but ignoring the symptoms or putting off going to the doctor or hospital.” Like other hospitals across the U.S., Henry Mayo has seen a significant drop in ED visits since the start of the pandemic. The hospital has added safety measures, including extra cleaning on high-touch surfaces, temperature checks for staff, asking screening questions outside the ED upon arrival and restricting visitors.

Procedures: ■ Cardiac catheterization ■ Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ■ Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure ■ Balloon valvuloplasty ■ Electrophysiology, with cardiac mapping capabilities, catheter-based ablations, intracardiac echocardiography, and cardiac device therapies ■ Open-heart surgery Diagnostic: stress testing, including nuclear imaging studies ■ IAC accredited echocardiography ■ Transesophageal echocardiogram with 3D imaging capabilities ■ IAC accredited vascular imaging ■ ACR accredited ultrasound imaging ■ Cardiac

Interventional radiology/special procedures: of peripheral arterial disease, both arterial and venous ■ Nonvascular interventions in the biliary, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts ■ Venous access, including tunneled line and port placement ■ Dialysis access intervention, including AV graft declotting procedures and AV fistula intervention ■ Cerebrovascular angiography ■ Embolotherapy ■ Embolization related to men’s health ■ Embolization related to women’s health ■ Pain management ■ Biopsies and drainages ■ Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures ■ Treatment

“When someone is having a heart attack, delaying care increases both the likelihood and extent of heart muscle damage, so it’s critical to seek care right away if you are having symptoms,” said James Lee, MD, Medical Director of Henry Mayo’s Roberta G. Veloz Cardiac Cath Lab. “Time is muscle,” Avakian added. “The sooner blood flow is established, the less permanent damage is sustained to the heart. Our strong collaboration between the ED and Cath Lab and coordination with paramedics and others has been key to quickly treating heart attack victims and ensuring the best possible outcomes.” IYH *For security reasons, only the first name of the ED nurse is used in this story.

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PATIENT S TORY

ENSURING THE BEAT GOES ON Henry Mayo’s emergency care and Cardiac Rehabilitation program put heart attack survivor David Steinfeld on the road to recovery

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n May 2018, David Steinfeld was in a local business when he felt like he was having a heart attack.

“I did the wrong thing and went home,” Steinfeld said. Fortunately, after he arrived home, Steinfeld’s wife did the right thing and called 911. The paramedics brought Steinfeld to Henry Mayo’s Emergency Department. Henry Mayo is a designated STEMI Receiving Center, which means it’s fully equipped to take care of heart attack patients. It was Steinfeld’s third heart attack, and he has a family history of heart disease. “I thought I was gone, but the Henry Mayo Emergency Department nurses were absolutely phenomenal. They kept encouraging me, saying, ‘You’re still here, David!’”

“Dr. Yasuda had a very good bedside manner,” Steinfeld said. “He made me feel good.” In some ways, Steinfeld’s biggest challenges were still ahead of him. After his surgery he was enrolled in Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, but his heart attack and surgery sparked a high level of anxiety, which made it difficult for him to get started. Henry Mayo’s Cardiovascular Services Nurse Navigator Rosella Dolan, BSN; Surgical Services Clinical Coordinator Felicia Lupu, RN; and Cardiac Rehab team devised a plan to help Steinfeld overcome his fears and begin his rehabilitation. “They brought me along emotionally and intellectually,” Steinfeld said. “They assured me they could help me overcome my fears.” Steinfeld, an engineer who does scientific research at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, marvels at the assistance he’s received in Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program and how much it has helped his recovery. “It’s such valuable support,” he said. “I really don’t have the words to describe it. Both the emotional and physical support are phenomenal. Thanks to the team at Henry Mayo, I’m feeling great today.” IYH

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“I thought I was gone, but the Henry Mayo Emergency Department nurses were absolutely phenomenal. They kept encouraging me, saying, ‘You’re still here, David!’ ” —DAVID STEINFELD

BR YA N T W IEC ZO R EK

Steinfeld was rushed to the Roberta G. Veloz Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, where the team discovered he had critical coronary artery disease affecting every artery to his heart. He was placed on an intra-aortic balloon pump to help stabilize him. The heart pump is a highly sophisticated device that reduces strain on the heart by inflating and deflating in time with a patient’s heartbeat. After he was stabilized, he underwent quintuple bypass surgery, performed by cardiothoracic surgeon Roderick Yasuda, MD, and the Henry Mayo surgical team.

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ROBERTA VELOZ’S LASTING LEGACY Bidding farewell to a longtime Henry Mayo and community supporter

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his issue of It’s Your Health is dedicated to longtime Henry Mayo and community supporter Roberta Veloz, who passed away in August. A generous donation from Roberta made our Roberta G. Veloz Cardiovascular Center possible. Roberta owned Aquafine Corporation, a world leader in ultraviolet disinfection; under her stewardship, the company experienced dramatic growth. In 1998, Roberta was named the Santa Clarita Woman of the Year, and in 1999, she received the Silver Spur Award from the College of the Canyons Foundation. Roberta also served on the board of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and on the governing board of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. In 2005, she made a very generous donation to Henry Mayo, allowing the hospital to construct its first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. Today, the Cardiovascular Center at Henry Mayo bears her name. Roberta asked that any donations in her memory be made to the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. IYH

Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley: Generous Donations That Help Ensure the “Best for Women” Thank you to Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley for two recent generous donations: $50,000 to name a room in the Patient Tower and $2,500 to help fund the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center. “Thank you, SIGSCV! Your longtime partnership with our hospital to advance the mission of advocating the best for women is aligned with ensuring access to great healthcare here in our valley,” said Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation President Marlee Lauffer.

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