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From NorwalkPlus.com Health
Under the leadership of Dr. Justin Lundbye and Dr. Steven Zweibel, cardiologists at Hartford Hospital, and in collaboration with the Connecticut “HEARTsafe Community” program of the Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association, an effort is underway to make Hartford safer. The hospital is donating AEDs and first responder training (ie, CPR and AED training) to the community. About 44 out of 169 communities in the State of Connecticut are currently considered Heart Safe, but Hartford is not formally labeled one of those. “We are proud to be a part of Hartford Hospital’s campaign ‘to arm your neighbors with the skill and technology to save lives.’ It is the YMCA of Greater Hartford’s goal to provide a safe environment to all who use and visit our facilities and program sites. The AEDs will be distributed throughout our Association, two designated to the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center in Hartford. As a result of Hartford Hospital’s generous donation this will help us to continue taking a proactive approach in being a ‘Safe’ organization and providing first responders with life-saving tools,” said Kevin Washington, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Hartford. About Cardiac Arrest Sudden cardiac death is a devastating occurrence that can strike anyone at any time. The only intervention that can rescue an individual who is having a cardiac arrest is defibrillation. Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) have been shown to be effective when used on victims of cardiac arrest as long as they are used within the first few minutes after the arrest begins and are typically more effective when combined with CPR. The main issues surrounding cardiac arrest is access to an AED, public education about the use of AEDs, and training of individuals in CPR. Hartford Hospital has developed cutting edge programs to help patients who have undergone a cardiac arrest and have been resuscitated successfully. Dr. Justin Lundbye and Dr. Jeffrey Kluger have developed a “hypothermia protocol,” which has been very successful at assisting patients in their recovery after a cardiac arrest. The hospital’s electrophysiology service is available to evaluate these patients and implant permanent cardioverter defibrillators to prevent these patients from experiencing sudden cardiac death. Additionally, the preventive cardiology program helps patients reduce their risk factors for cardiac disease and thereby reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death. Hartford Hospital believes that it is our responsibility to provide our community with AEDs and training to help victims of sudden cardiac death survive so they can be transported to the hospital and receive the benefit of life-saving programs and treatment. About Hartford Hospital Hartford Hospital is an 867-bed regional referral center that provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital’s major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state’s only air ambulance system, LIFE STAR. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. |
