MEDICAL NEWS TIPS Media Contact: Sandra Van, 1-800-396-1002 [email protected]
October 9, 1998
SAVING LIVES AT SEA - TELEMEDICINE SYSTEMS FEATURING VTEL TECHNOLOGY AND IMAGE VIEW INGENUITY COMBINE FOR HIGH TECH MEDICINE AT SEA A virtual emergency room, known as SeaMed(tm) hits U.S. waters aboard Princess Cruisesà Grand Princess. Two-way satellite technology links the shipÃs medical center in the New York City harbor to emergency department doctors and specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The Grand Princess is the only commercial cruiseline vessel in the world providing this level of telemedicine care. SeaMed was developed primarily to provide passengers and crew with extra safety and peace of mind while meeting the rigorous demands of ship-board life. It is a satellite-based, leading-edge medical system designed to assist ship-board physicians in providing crew and passengers with complex medical attention without leaving the ship, and allowing interaction that would otherwise not be possible. Interviews: Michael Langberg, M.D., Senior Vice PResident Medical Affairs, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
WHO TAKES CARE OF THE CARETAKERS? CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES Hospital employees who experience extraordinary job stress caused by critical incidents can receive effective assistance to reduce and control its harmful effects. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISMJ) is offered by the hospitalÃs Employee Assistance Program, and is comprised of trained mental health professionals who combine their expert knowledge and talents with specially trained peer support group personnel. Peer support personnel are trained to watch for signs of distress in their fellow workers. Critical incidents that require CISM include line-of-duty deaths, events that seriously threaten the lives of the responders, the death of a child, tragic death of a complete or part of a family unit, prolonged incident with the loss of life, suicides, homicides, or any event surrounded by unusual circumstances that causes a severe emotional reaction.
CLINICAL TRIAL AT CEDARS-SINAI MAY OFFER NEW HOPE FOR PATIENTS WITH PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION According to scientists at the medical center, correctly identifying patients with PAF, pinpointing specific "trigger" areas in their hearts and non-surgically eliminating those triggers using radiofrequency energy (ablation) may offer a permanent cure for this type of cardiac arrhythmia. According to Dr. P.K. Shah, M.D., Director of the Division of Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, ìThe ability to cure Atrial Fibrillation in selected patients could not only eliminate the need for long-term therapy with drugs that often produce side effects, but would also eliminate the increased risk of stroke that often accompanies Atrial Fibrillation.î Interviews: Chun Hwang, M.D., Clinical Trial Lead Investigator; C. Thomas Peter, M.D., Director of Electrophysiology; and Peng-Sheng Chen, M.D., Director of Pacemaker and Device Clinic and Electrophysiology Research
MEDICAL EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS OCTOBER HEALTHCARE RECOGNITION TOPICS SUCH AS: Breast Cancer Treatment, National Disability Employment Month, National Family Health Month, Prostate Cancer, Brain Injury Awareness Month, Liver Awareness Month
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