What an Eventful Year it's Been!

from Better Health magazine, Spring, 2004

The first open-heart surgery procedure was performed on March 24, 2003 by Dr. Henry Tripp and his carefully assembled team. Word quickly spread about the team's skilled and compassionate care, and by year's end more than 100 procedures had been performed.

We also started making it easier for patients living outside of Danville to have access to our cardiologists. We've opened a satellite office in South Boston, Virginia, and will shortly have locations in Gretna and Martinsville, Virginia and Yanceyville, North Carolina. Our affiliation with Duke University Health System ensures the residents of the Dan River Region access to the most sophisticated cardiac care available.

U.S. Government Accounting Office Commends
Use of Technology

Danville Regional's place as a national leader in using technology to improve patient care and patient safety was noticed last year thanks to the efforts of Tommy Thompson, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Mr. Thompson told a Senate Committee about our Med Administration Check (MAC) technology, and the Committee was intrigued enough to send a team from the General Accounting Office (GAO) to DRMC.

After visiting and talking with us, the GAO issued a report not only praising our computerized barcode scanning system for administering patient medication, but the efficiencies of our wireless phone system and wireless computer network as well. Having leading edge technology has been our focus for some time, and it was significant that we are one of 10 medical centers nation-wide recognized for use of technology to improve patient care and patient safety.

New Endoscopy Unit Opens

Perhaps overshadowed by the opening of the Heart Center of the Piedmont, the neighboring new Endoscopy Suite is proving very popular among physicians and patients alike

Physicians are pleased with the extra space provided by the four additional procedure rooms and the modern equipment available. Patients, meanwhile, appreciate the additional privacy and comfort they and their families enjoy in the new unit. The facility is used for the full spectrum of endoscopic procedures, including upper endoscopies, colonoscopies, and gastroscopies.

New Physician Specialties Added

One way to measure the comprehensive care offered by a hospital is to consider the diversity of medical specialties represented on its staff.

During the past year we added 13 new physicians to our staff. Some were providing additional depth in much-needed specialties. But we also added several new specialties, including infectious diseases and endocrinology (for better treatment of diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other hormone-related problems).

While these new specialties are important, we are hard at work recruiting additional physicians to bring more healthcare options to the people of the Dan River Region.

Virginia Health Information Shows
Quality of Cardiology Program

Virginia Health Information looks at mortality rates in cardiology treatment in three categories: Medical Cardiology (angina, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, etc.), Invasive Cardiology (cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, etc.), and Open Heart Surgery. Hospitals were rated by mortality rate as less than expected, as expected, or greater than expected.

Here's how Danville Regional performed in 2002, the latest year for which statistics are available:

Medical Cardiology
Less than expected mortality

Invasive Cardiology
As expected mortality

Open-Heart Surgery
N/A (not yet in operation in 2002)

Of the 77 Virginia hospitals providing Medical Cardiology services, DRMC was one of only seven with less than expected mortality.

According to its web site, Virginia Health Information "developed Cardiac Care information to help businesses and consumers make better informed health care purchasing decisions. By learning about care you need, you may be more comfortable discussing you options with your physician and family."