Open Heart Surgery
Cardiovascular Surgery Comes to Decatur

Upon approval for the Certificate of Need for open heart surgery and therapeutic cardiac catheterization services, Decatur General began preparing its first open heart program. During summer 2004, the cardiovascular program was under way and successful open heart surgeries taking place. Hospital renovations and expansions to make the program available included two new operating rooms especially designed for cardiovascular surgery, an additional cardiac catheterization lab, a four-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit, and an eight-bed cardiovascular step-down unit. An entire cardiovascular-trained staff was hired to work with two experienced heart surgeons, James Gilmore, MD, and Jerry Roberts, MD, to bring only the best heart care to Decatur.

Expansion
Equipping the Cardiovascular Center

To provide our new cardiovascular team with the newest, state-of-the-art facility possible, Decatur General underwent a $7 million expansion and renovation project to construct two operating rooms, a cardiac catheterization lab, a four-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit and an eight-bed cardiovascular step-down unit. Specialized rooms that cater to heart patients completed the new second floor wing, which opened in June.

Physical Therapy
Cardiac Rehabilitation Helps Heart Patients Regain Strength

Heart patients often need to regain strength after surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation is just the vehicle to help them. As part of Cardiovascular Services at Decatur General, cardiac rehabilitation was established in Spring 2004, and includes a combination of exercise and education. Patients attend the program three times a week for strength training and to learn about ways they can improve their lifestyle. The program provides one more step in helping heart patients find new life, close to home.

Mended Hearts
Mended Hearts Provides Support After Surgery

The final step in the cardiovascular program at Decatur General is the Morgan County Mended Hearts Support Group, established September 2004. Support is vital, and this group, available for patients, families, physicians and friends who are touched by heart disease, meets monthly and provides education and encouragement. Mended Hearts is affiliated with the American Heart Association.