4 Characteristics Of The Best Cardiac Care Units

By Glinn Klienberg

To get the best possible care for your heart, you should choose from the best cardiac care units. Not all cardiac centers provide the same level of care and expertise. In order to make sure you find the best cardiac care available, keep these factors in mind.

• National referral centers. Where does a doctor send his or her difficult cardiac cases? The answer will point you in the direction of the best cardiac care. Some cardiac units are distinguished by receiving hundreds of referrals, meaning that they are capable of handling the most difficult and sensitive cardiac issues.

• Connection to a medical school. Many of the best cardiac treatment centers are connected with a prestigious medical school. At first blush, such a connection seems to be risky. Does this mean that students without extensive skill or experience will handle your case? Not exactly. Nearly every hospital has student doctors — interns or residents — who perform medical procedures. The connection with a medical school or “teaching hospital” means instead that you’ll have the best doctors, those professors, researchers, and physicians who are respected within medical academia. These are the doctors who write the journal articles, and who pioneer new advances in medicine. These are the doctors with whom you want to work. These are the doctors found at top-rated medical school hospitals.

• High ratings, reviews, and awards. You can find publicized reviews for just about anything these days — from cruise ships to cardiac care. Look for the reviews, and choose a care center that receives high marks in all categories. Like most other industries, the medical industry has its share of industry awards and recognitions. When a hospital consistently receives rewards, interviews, positive media coverage, journal mentions, and other accolades, you know that their cardiac care is top-notch.

• Advanced technology. Better technology means better care. You want to choose a cardiac center that has cutting-edge technology in order to gain the highest possible level of treatment. In cardiac care, look for a place that has full cardiac catheterization capability, interventional and neurointerventional radiology, intravascular ultrasound, and electrophysiological study equipment. Having such advanced equipment means you’ll receive a higher level of testing and treatment than other facilities can provide. • High level of follow-up care. Your heart treatment experience does not end with your final hospital discharge. You’ll want to find a treatment center which provides checkups and monitors your case until your situation is totally resolved.

Cardiac health difficulties can create a lot of anxiety. One of the best ways to take care of your health and pursue peace of mind is to choose wisely the best cardiac care units available.

If you are in need of cardiac care, you want to make sure you get treatment from a care center with the highest standards. Glinn Klienberg knows that heart surgery in a low quality cardiac care center can be a disaster for the patient and their loved ones.