News Room
West Florida Hospital Receives National Surgical Spine Recognition
Posted January 7, 2008
West Florida Hospital has received national recognition for providing quality spinal surgery care by being designated a 2007 UnitedHealth Premium Surgical Spine Specialty Center by United Healthcare. This designation is based upon a review of the hospital’s quality and cost efficiency data.
The UnitedHealth Premium Surgical Spine Specialty Center program is a facility designation program focused on surgical spine procedures. It evaluates Surgical Spine programs against national and evidence-based standards and is designed to help consumers make more informed choices in selecting facilities that are high quality and more cost efficient in the delivery of health care.
Criteria for selecting UnitedHealth Premium Surgical Spine Specialty Centers were developed in collaboration with a scientific advisory board composed of nationally recognized spine specialists.
The program's criteria include a stringent set of requirements concerning physician and staff experience, outcomes reporting, depth of care, emergency care, and data management and reporting.
“It is an honor to have been awarded the designation of UnitedHealth Premium Spinal Surgery Specialty Center for 2007,” said Dennis A. Taylor, president and CEO of West Florida Hospital. “Being awarded this exceptional designation confirms that West Florida Hospital’s spinal surgery program measures favorably against nationally-recognized benchmarks of care.”
“The physicians and staff at West Florida Hospital are committed to providing care that exceeds these nationally recognized standards,” continued Taylor. We want our patients to be confident that they are getting the best treatment possible.”
For more information on West Florida Hospital, please call 850-494-3212 or visit www.westfloridahospital.com
West Florida Hospital Receives National Cardiac Recognition
Posted January 7, 2008
West Florida Hospital has received national recognition for providing quality cardiac care by being designated a 2007 UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty Center. This designation was awarded for the following: cardiac surgery, interventional cardiac care, and cardiac rhythm management. Only a limited number of hospitals receive designation in all three areas.
"We are extremely excited about achieving this exceptional designation," said Dennis A. Taylor, president and CEO of West Florida Hospital. "Being named a 2007 UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty Center tells our patients that West Florida Hospital has a comprehensive cardiac program and that the care we provide measures favorably against nationally recognized standards of care."
The UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty Center program identifies hospitals nationwide that are leaders in providing cardiac care. The program is designed to augment the resources that help consumers make more informed choices in selecting facilities that are high quality and more cost efficient in the delivery of health care.
Criteria for selecting UnitedHealth Premium cardiac specialty centers were developed with input from a panel of leading independent cardiology experts and based on published guidelines set by the American College of Cardiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, and Leapfrog Group, a coalition of more than 150 public and private organizations that provide health care benefits.
The program's criteria include a stringent set of requirements concerning physician and staff experience, outcomes reporting, depth of care, emergency care, and data management and reporting.
"The physicians and staff at West Florida Hospital are committed to providing care that exceeds these nationally recognized standards," continued Taylor. We want our patients to be confident that they are getting the best treatment possible."
The West Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute is a comprehensive heart care facility that offers a full range of diagnostic procedures. These procedures include cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, electro-physiology studies, stress tests, nuclear cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation. Treatment options include angioplasty, stents, rotoblator, permanent pacemakers, radio frequency ablation, transmyocardial revascularization and coronary artery bypass.
For more information on West Florida Hospital or the West Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute, please call 850-494-3212.
Rehabilitation Institute Celebrates 30 Years
Posted November 29, 2007
During the month of December, 2007, the West Florida Rehabilitation Institute is celebrating its 30th Anniversary!
The Rehabilitation Institute has been in existence since December of 1977, when it opened as a 38-bed unit at its original Palafox Street location. When the need to expand was recognized, HCA, West Florida Hospital’s parent company, purchased the Rehabilitation Institute in May of 1984 with plans to build a new $3.3 million facility on the West Florida campus.
In September of 1984, the West Florida Rehabilitation Institute was opened on the West Florida Hospital campus with a total of 58 beds. Since then, the Rehab Institute has continued to grow with the addition of a number of outpatient programs, such as the Hand Therapy Clinic, Driving Program, Wheelchair Seating Clinic, etc.
The Rehabilitation Institute:
o Is the area’s only comprehensive medical acute rehabilitation hospital;
o Is the only rehab facility in Northwest Florida designated by the State of Florida as a Brain and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Center;
o Is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO);
o Utilizes a highly skilled staff of physiatrists (physicians that specialize in rehabilitation), rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists, and case managers who work as a team to help patients achieve their highest level of independence;
o Provides comprehensive medical rehabilitation programs for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, arthritis, amputation, joint replacement and other activity-limiting conditions; and
o Is a strong advocate for our area’s disabled community.
West Florida Healthcare has provided comprehensive healthcare services to northwest Florida and south Alabama residents since 1975. The 531-bed facility includes a 400-bed acute care tertiary hospital, a 58-bed rehabilitation facility, a 73-bed mental health facility and an outpatient cancer treatment center. Affiliated with HCA, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare, West Florida Healthcare offers major services in cardiology/cardiovascular surgery, oncology, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopedics, trauma, behavioral health, obstetrics, rehabilitative medicine and many other medical specialties.
Endocrinologist Joins West Florida Internal Medicine
Posted July 11, 2007
Vishnu N. Behari, M.D., FACE has joined the Internal Medicine Department of West Florida Healthcare and the Medical Staff of West Florida Hospital. He practices in the Internal Medicine Department located at 2120 E. Johnson Avenue in Pensacola, specializing in endocrinology and internal medicine with a special emphasis in diabetes management.
Dr. Behari earned his medical degree from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Following medical school, he completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He completed his residency training at Howard University Medicine, District of Columbia General Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Behari also completed an Endocrinology Fellowship at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
During his medical training, Dr. Behari was the recipient of a number of honors, including the Resident of the Year Award and the C.V. Mosby Book Prize in Medical Microbiology.
Dr. Behari was in private practice in Louisiana prior to joining West Florida Hospital’s Medical Staff. He is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Endocrine Society, and the American Diabetes Association. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology.
Dr. Behari is currently accepting new patients; for an appointment, call (850) 494-4885.
West Florida Hospital's Diabetes Education Program Merits ADA Recognition
Posted April 20, 2007
(Pensacola, FL) — The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently extended The Diabetes Center at West Florida Hospital’s Education Recognition Certificate. The extension is good for another three years. By re-conferring this prestigious recognition, ADA is affirming that West Florida Hospital’s diabetes program continues to offer high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994 and 2000. Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA.
Programs apply for Recognition on a voluntary basis. Diabetes programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals that can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.
“The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide,” said Nina Clark, RN, BSN, CDE. “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.”
According to the ADA, there are 20.8 million people or 7% of the U.S. population who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, another 6.2 million people are not even aware that they have the disease. Each day, approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications—heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation.
The ADA is the nation’s leading not-for-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, the ADA has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.
West Florida Healthcare has provided comprehensive healthcare services to northwest Florida and south Alabama residents since 1975. The 531-bed facility includes a 400-bed acute care tertiary hospital, a 58-bed rehabilitation facility, a 73-bed mental health facility and an outpatient cancer treatment center. Affiliated with HCA, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare, West Florida Healthcare offers major services in cardiology/cardiovascular surgery, oncology, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopedics, trauma, behavioral health, obstetrics, rehabilitative medicine and many other medical specialties.
For more information about the American Diabetes Association, visit www.diabetes.org. For more information about The Diabetes Center at West Florida Hospital, call (850) 494-4950.
West Florida Primary Care Opens Newest Location in Cantonment
Posted: May 18, 2007
West Florida Primary Care celebrated the opening of its newest location with a Grand Opening and Open House on Thursday, May 17. The office is located at 2360 U.S. Highway 29, South, in Cantonment, near the intersection of Highway 29 and Kingsfield Road.
At the event, attendees were able to meet the physician who is staffing the new location, Dr. William Bone, as well as take a tour of the new facility. Blood pressure screenings, refreshments, and door prizes were also offered. The event was open to the public.
For more information about the Kingsfield location of West Florida Primary Care, call (850) 968-2083.
Conveniently located throughout Northwest Florida, West Florida Primary Care offers a network of ten locations to serve you. All of our offices offer lab and x-ray services, and some even have rehabilitation services. Our primary care offices also use a digital image archiving and display system to capture x-ray, MRI, CT and other diagnostic images. These images are sent electronically to the hospital and read within minutes by a board-certified radiologist and returned to your physician with a diagnosis.
If you need a doctor or to make an appointment, call (850) 494-3212.
2360 U.S. Hwy. 29, South, Cantonment
West Florida Healthcare Named Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has named West Florida Healthcare as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care.
Blue Distinction is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies’ nationwide program that will create an unprecedented level of transparency with two goals: engaging consumers to enable more informed healthcare decisions and collaborating with physicians and hospitals to improve quality outcomes and affordability. A key component of Blue Distinction is a specialty center program that offers the best practices and standards of care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care and transplant services.
“This designation tells our patients that the outstanding cardiac care we provide measures favorably against nationally recognized benchmarks,” said Dennis A. Taylor, president and CEO of West Florida Hospital. “It is a distinct honor to be named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care, which is further evidence of the high standard of care we are proud to deliver every day.”
The process used to select Blue Distinction Centers is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility’s structure, processes and care outcomes are rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations.
“Patients who require cardiac care need to know that they are getting quality treatment,” said Dr. Louis Perillo, senior vice-president of medical affairs for West Florida Hospital. “Our goal is to enhance the overall quality of care for our customers. The Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care designation signals to all consumers that West Florida Hospital meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards of care.”
Blue Distinction puts a high value on research and evidenced-based health and medical information,” adds Allan Korn, M.D., Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association chief medical officer. “These centers show our commitment to working with doctors and hospitals in communities across the country to identify leading institutions that meet clinically validated quality standards and deliver better outcomes in patient care.”
The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care include:
· Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility;
· Program must be performing a required volume of percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries and provide a full range of services including inpatient cardiac care and cardiac rehabilitation;
· Sub-specialty board certification of cardiac team;
· Ongoing quality management and improvement programs; and
· Cardiac care processes and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft surgery including evaluation of complication and mortality rates.
“Our physicians and staff are committed to exceeding these nationally recognized standards of care on a continual basis so the patient we serve can be confident they are getting the best treatment,” says Taylor.
For more information about cardiac care at West Florida Healthcare call 850-494-3212.
Help for Back Pain Sufferers: The Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System
West Florida Hospital is the first healthcare facility in the area to utilize a revolutionary new procedure called Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization to treat patients with lower back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis. People with this condition may have symptoms such as low back pain, reduced mobility, or pain or numbness that travels down one or both legs. This pain often occurs when the nerves that run through the spine become compressed or pinched.
Estimates indicate that 19 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of back pain and that at some point in their lives, 80% of all Americans will experience it. It is also estimated that more than $80 billion is spent each year due to back pain.
“Many need some form of treatment, including surgery, for stabilization,” noted Dr. Marcus Schmitz, neurosurgeon.
Patients’ chronic back and leg pain in the lumbar region are typically given conservative non-surgical treatment for as long as possible. When such treatment no longer provides relief, a common solution has been traditional spinal fusion surgery in which two or more vertebrae are joined together, or “fused” with bone grafts placed between the affected vertebrae. During this procedure, the affected discs and much of the spinal anatomy are also permanently removed and metal rods or plates may be required to stabilize the vertebrae while they fuse. It is estimated that nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. undergo fusion procedures every year.
The Dynesys system is revolutionary because it combines the surgical approach of traditional fusion surgery with the philosophy of dynamic stabilization. With the Dynesys system, the spine is stabilized by using flexible rather than rigid components. The flexible materials also preserve the natural anatomy of the spine.
The Dynesys system consists of external spacers made of surgical polyurethane tubing surrounding a polyethylene cord. The dynamic push/pull relationship between the spacers and the cord stabilizes the affected vertebrae. The system is designed to permit careful controlled bending, straightening and twisting movement in the affected joints.
This unique system has several potential advantages over current fusion techniques. The most important is the preservation of the intervertebral discs and anatomy of the affected vertebrae. Also, the Dynesys system, installed posteriorally, does not require bone to be taken from the hip, as is required in other fusion procedures, and eliminates any problems associated with this procedure.
“By stabilizing the degenerative discs, we are trying to avoid a lumbar fusion and loss of motion,” continued Dr. Schmitz.
Released in the United States in 2005, the Dynesys system has been available in Europe since 1994. Over 25,000 patients have been treated globally, with over 4,000 cases along in the United States, according to Dynesys manufacturer Zimmer Spine.
For more information about the new Dynesys spine stabilization system, log on to www.zimmerspine.com.
The 64-Slice CT Scanner: New Technology That Aids in the Early Detection of Heart Disease
Research has shown that the earlier heart disease is detected, the better the chance that life threatening problems from heart disease can be averted through appropriate treatment. If you are having chest pain or have risk factors associated with heart disease, you may want to ask your physician about a non-invasive, virtually pain-free procedure offered at West Florida Hospital.
At West Florida Hospital, we have invested in the newest technology to help diagnose heart disease faster than ever before. This new technology is called the 64-slice CT and can give physicians a slice-by-slice view of specific regions of the body.
By using the ultra-fast, 64-slice CT scanner and timing the scan to the patient’s heartbeat, physicians at West Florida Hospital can image the heart and its blood vessels without blurring as the heart beats. Using this advanced computer technology, the information can be reconstructed into 3-D views of the heart and the coronary arteries, showing not only narrowed areas of the blood vessels but also early disease in the vessel walls that may not be narrowed.
“The advantage of the 64-slice CT scan is that for the first time, we have technology to look at the arteries on the heart,” said Dr. Donald Netherland, a cardiovascular surgeon who is trained to use the 64-slice CT scan at West Florida Hospital. “This equipment is a step up in technology and provides physicians the benefits of the speed at which it operates and more accurate pictures. Other scans that are slower than our 64-slice CT can often blur images which makes it more difficult to read.”
Another advantage of using the 64-slice CT scan at West Florida Hospital is that it is a noninvasive procedure. “This new technology is readily accepted by patients because it is noninvasive,” said Dr. Paul Tamburro, a cardiologist who is also trained to use the 64-slice CT scanner at West Florida Hospital. “With this technology, we can capture images of the heart and coronary arteries in a single five-second breath hold, and is the first noninvasive means of seeing disease in the wall of the coronary arteries.”
If you have a 64-slice CT scan at West Florida Hospital, a nurse will call you to explain the preparation, which includes a dose of beta-blockers the night before to control your heart rate. Controlling the heart rate will give the physicians better images of your heart. On the day of the 64-slice CT scan, you will arrive about an hour prior to the scan so the radiology nurses can assess your heart rate and start an IV for the CT contrast. You will only be in the scan room for 10 to 15 minutes.
The physicians at West Florida Hospital use advanced workstations to generate the three-dimensional images and read the exam. The results are usually ready for your doctor the same day.
“With this test, we may be able to get unique information on the biology of the vessel walls to see if disease is present,” said Dr. Tamburro. “We even have potential to see plaque inside the wall, something that coronary angiography can’t reveal.”
“The bottom line is, the earlier we can diagnose heart disease, the better the chance we have to treat it successfully,” continued Dr. Netherland. “Now, with the 64-slice CT scan at West Florida Hospital, physicians have the tools they need to give them a better chance of early detection.”
West Florida Hospital Offers Treatment for Peripheral Arterial Disease
New Technology Removes Plaque from Blocked Arteries
West Florida Hospital offers a new device to treat peripheral arterial disease, providing relief for patients who suffer from leg pain and poor circulation in the lower legs and feet. Developed by FoxHollow Technologies, the SilverHawk™ Plaque Excision System is a device used to remove plaque that blocks arteries and interrupts blood flow, even in tiny arteries that before were untreatable.
The specially designed SilverHawk is a small catheter that can be advanced further down the leg and into the foot than previously was possible. The device can then be used to scrape plaque that is clogging small arteries. With this new technology, hundreds of milligrams of plaque can be removed from arteries, thereby restoring critical blood flow.
The SilverHawk System is capable of removing significant amounts of plaque without overstretching the artery, a condition known as barotrauma. By removing plaque, the SilverHawk creates a large channel for adequate blood flow without stretching the vessel wall.
Cardiovascular surgeons at West Florida Hospital use this technology to treat lower leg pain and improve blood flow to the legs and feet. This improved circulation means that patients experience increased mobility and wounds heal more quickly. In some cases, the procedure can also prevent amputation of the toe, foot and leg by restoring blood flow necessary to keep tissues alive. The procedure is also used to successfully treat patients with diabetes who suffer from poor circulation in the feet. Not only does it help in the healing process, but it can also help avoid more invasive procedures later on.
Stephen C. Myers, M.D., a cardiovascular surgeon at West Florida Hospital, has had extensive training in the use of the SilverHawk technology.
“This device is innovative because it allows the surgeon to work with vessels that before were too small to treat,” said Dr. Myers. “Angioplasty can tear the vessel and stenting can also cause trauma. The SilverHawk doesn’t dilate the vessel, so a stent can be put in later on, if needed.”
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition that affects approximately 12 million people in the United States. The disease results from the accumulation of plaque in arteries, most commonly occurring in the pelvis and legs. PAD occurs when plaque buildup causes a narrowing of the artery, constricting normal blood flow to the body’s tissue and organs. If left untreated, PAD increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation and even death.
If left untreated, PAD can progress to critical limb ischemia (CLI), which occurs when there is not enough oxygenated blood being delivered to the leg to keep the tissue alive. An estimated 750,000 people in the United States suffer from CLI, which occurs when symptoms of PAD—including pain, non-healing wounds, tissue loss or gangrene—become more severe. When CLI develops, it can lead to constant pain and amputation of toes, feet and/or part of the leg.
Gastroenterology Associates Open New Office at West Florida Hospital
Gastroenterology Associates are pleased to announce the opening of their new office location on the campus of West Florida Hospital. The new office is located on the 7th Floor of the West Florida Medical Tower at 8333 North Davis Highway in Pensacola.
The physicians of Gastroenterology Associates provide a full range of endoscopic and gastroenterologic surgical procedures. For more information about their services, please contact them at 850-505-0535.
West Florida Hospital is a 400-bed acute care hospital with an extensive range of treatment centers and institutes, including a Rehabilitation Institute, which serves as the region’s only comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility, and a full service psychiatric hospital, which provides adult and geriatric behavioral health treatment.
West Florida Healthcare has just completed Phase One of a $100 million renovation project, which includes an updated exterior with new colors, windows and hospital signage. As part of the renovation, an impressive two-story lobby featuring a glass atrium that opens up to the second floor has also been added.
In Phase Two of this project, West Florida will focus on updating the interior of the hospital such as patient rooms, waiting areas and nursing stations, and there will be more of a focus on adding physician offices such as Gastroenterology Associates.
The Hope Medical Group Opens New Office at West Florida Hospital
The Hope Medical Group (formerly Hematology/Oncology Associates) is pleased to announce their new office location on the campus of West Florida Hospital.
The new Hope Medical Group office is located in the West Florida Cancer Center at 2120 E. Johnson Avenue. Their office hours will be Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and they can be reached at 850-475-2230.
The Hope Medical Group is a private practice that provides care for patients with hematology (study of blood disorders) or oncology illnesses (study of malignant tumors or cancer). All of their physicians are Board Certified Internists and they cross cover for each other on nights and weekends.
The Hope Medical Group offers many options for patient treatment and medical care, including clinical trials for eligible patients who wish to participate. They also work with many nationally recognized medical institutions and work closely with home health agencies and hospice organizations to provide their patients with the best cancer care.
West Florida Hospital is a 400-bed acute care hospital with an extensive range of treatment centers and institutes, including a Rehabilitation Institute, which serves as the region’s only comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility, and a full service psychiatric hospital, which provides adult and geriatric behavioral health treatment.
West Florida Healthcare has just recently completed Phase One of a $100 million renovation project, which includes an updated exterior with new colors, windows and hospital signage. As part of the renovation, an impressive two-story lobby featuring a glass atrium that opens up to the second floor has also been added.
In Phase Two of this project, West Florida will focus on updating the interior of the hospital such as patient rooms, waiting areas and nursing stations, and there will be more of a focus on adding physician offices such as The Hope Medical Group.
For more information about The Hope Medical Group please call 850-475-2203 or visit www.thehopemedicalgroup.com.
West Florida Healthcare, Back From Ivan, Renovated and Improving Healthcare From the Inside Out
West Florida Healthcare has completed the first phase of a $100 million renovation project that includes an updated exterior with new colors, windows and hospital signage. As part of the renovation, an impressive two-story lobby featuring a glass atrium that opens up to the second floor has also been added.
To celebrate this milestone, a Phase I Renovation Completion Ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the new lobby of West Florida Healthcare. As part of this ceremony, a joint ribbon cutting has been planned that will include the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the Pace Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.
“At West Florida Healthcare, we have invested in healthcare advances such as our hospital, our technology, and most importantly our physicians and staff,” said Bob Peterson, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of West Florida Healthcare. “With the new exterior and two-story lobby, the most visible phase of our renovation is complete. However, the most impressive changes have been on the inside of the hospital with new operating rooms, new catheterization labs, and new imaging equipment.”
The renovation project, which originally began in 2003, was put on hold after Hurricane Ivan battered the area in September, 2004. The storm caused $20 million in damage to West Florida Healthcare’s physical plant.
“Hurricane Ivan caused extensive damage to the hospital and when we assessed the damage and revisited our renovation project, we decided to switch gears and renovate the entire exterior of the hospital at one time,” said Peterson.
As a result, the hospital was completely cocooned in with scaffolding and the main lobby had to be relocated away from hospital services.
“Our patients and visitors have been outstanding during our renovations. We have had some inconveniences, but our patients and visitors have supported us and as a result, our patient satisfaction scores remained high throughout this entire process,” noted Peterson.
Renovations have not been limited to the main campus at West Florida Hospital. In the past 18 months, West Florida completed a renovation of a Primary Care location on Spanish Trail, and constructed and opened a Primary Care Center on Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road.
“These primary care centers are important because we are able to place physicians throughout the region to help provide our community with quality, convenient healthcare,” said Peterson.
Through this renovation project, West Florida Healthcare is further unifying services to create a comprehensive, coordinated health care system where patients are informed and cared for by a dedicated team of physicians and nurses using the most up to date and advanced technology.
“We have added the latest in a growing line of digital technology, Including a 64-slice CT scanner, Digital Mammography, Digital Operating Rooms, and our Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS),” added Peterson.
The primary entry point of West Florida Hospital’s service to the community is its network neighborhood primary care physicians, along with specialists, nurses, and staff at the Emergency Department of West Florida Hospital.
West Florida Hospital’s front line is backed by a 400-bed acute care hospital, and an extensive range of treatment centers and institutes, including a Rehabilitation Institute, which serves as the region’s only comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility and a full service psychiatric hospital which provides adult and geriatric behavioral health services.
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