Patient Information- The Heart Hospital of Northwest Texas

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A Heart Patient's Hospital Stay

Physicians
Your attending physician is responsible for your care. Each patient is also assigned two additional physicians known as an intern and a resident. These two physicians work as a team and are supervised by either a cardiology or surgical fellow. The entire team of physicians will examine you every day, explain and treat any changes in your medical condition, schedule needed tests and assist you with your hospital discharge.

Nursing Staff
There is a registered nurse and a multi-skilled technician assigned 24 hours a day to care for each patient. The nursing staff is responsible for all of your needs, including close communication between you and your physician. If you are placed on a heart (telemetry) monitor, certified technicians will watch your heart rate and rhythm 24 hours a day. The nurses and multi-skilled technicians work a variety of shifts. Generally, the shifts are:
a.m.: 7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
p.m.: 7:00 p.m.-7:30 a.m.

Cardiovascular Educator
A cardiovascular educator can provide you and your family with activity guidelines, education and information on cardiac rehabilitation programs. Most insurance carriers cover outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services for individuals who have angina, had a heart attack or who have had open heart surgery.

Social Worker
A social worker specifically assigned to the fourth floor is available to you and your family. She will assist you and your family in obtaining special services you may have during your hospital stay or special needs you may have when discharged from the hospital.

Dietitian/Nutritionist
A certified dietitian/nutritionist is available to provide you and your family with information about nutritional needs that pertain to your medical condition. Special diets addressed include diabetic and low-fat diets.

Patient Advocate
You may also contact the patient advocate, a professional who is trained to act on your behalf. The represenattive will meet with you in private and discuss your concerns in confidence. To contact the patient liaison representative from your room, dial 1941. Phone calls before or after normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) will be recorded on an answering machine. Your call will be returned as soon as possible, or on the next day.

Telemetry Monitoring
Medical/Surgical is specifically designed to allow close monitoring of your heart rate and rhythm by means of a telemetry monitor. The telemetry monitor is a small box that is connected to your chest by means of wires and electrodes. As long as you are wearing the telemetry monitor, your heart rate and rhythm are being closely monitored. At one point, your physician may decide that you no longer need to wear the telemetry monitor, even if you still need to remain within the hospital.

Medical Care
An intravenous line (IV) will most likely be needed in order to administer medications. Daily blood tests may need to be drawn; these tests assist in evaluating your medical condition and progress. Other diagnostic tests and procedures that may be ordered include:

12 lead EKG (electrocardiogram) – will provide information about your heart rate and rhythm
Exercise tolerance test (ETT) – will assess how your heart responds to increased demand, such as exercise
Chest x-ray – will provide information about your heart and lungs
Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram- is a procedure that can deterimine if you have blockages in your coronary arteries

Education
Educational materials related to your heart condition, surgical procedure or medications are available. It is important that you understand why you are here and what steps you need to take to stay healthy when you go home. The hospital encourages you and your family members to review these educational materials with your nurses and physicians.