Heart Center At St. Joseph Hospital Launches New Screening Program Designed to Save Lives; Leading Hospital's New Pocket EKG Program First of Its Kind in Orange County

Business Wire,  Dec 16, 2002  

Tags: Orange PCS

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ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2002

The Heart Center at St. Joseph Hospital, a 462-bed, not-for-profit Catholic hospital, today announced the launch of a new, cardiac screening program -- called Pocket EKG -- designed to provide area residents with a quick, easy and cost-effective heart test that is the first of its kind in Orange County.

The standard cost of an electrocardiogram (or EKG) is approximately $175, however for a limited time only, St. Joseph Hospital is offering this life-saving test through the Pocket EKG program for just $20.

"Coronary heart disease is the single leading cause of death in the United States," said James Grimes, M.D., medical director of Cardiology for St. Joseph Hospital. "A key to combating this killer among Americans is to undergo regular cardiac screenings."

An EKG is a non-invasive, painless exam used to determine whether a person's heart rate and rhythm are normal or if heart damage has occurred. The test also can detect decreased blood flow, enlargement of the heart, or the presence of either current or past heart attacks. Once the test is complete, a graphic record is generated showing the heart's electrical impulses.

The first time a person has an EKG, the results become their baseline EKG that will then be used by physicians as a comparison for future cardiac testing. According to a study by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, there is a 54 percent reduction in unnecessary hospital admissions when physicians have access to a patients' baseline EKG.

Using technology manufactured and distributed by Calif.-based Cardiomark, each patient that participates in the screening program will receive a Pocket EKG card, a wallet-sized heart identification card that includes a patient's important medical information, as well as their baseline EKG.

"It is through programs such as Pocket EKG that St. Joseph Hospital continues to show its commitment to the cardiac health of the community," continued Dr. Grimes. "Preventative testing can be such a large part of combating heart-related problems, so I am happy to be leading a program designed to provide information that can be used to identify and hopefully correct an ailment before it's too late."

For a limited time only, St. Joseph Hospital is offering Pocket EKG testing exclusively for just $20. Simply visit the hospital's Heart Center, located in the Outpatient Pavilion at 1140 W. La Veta Avenue in Orange, Mondays or Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

For more information about St. Joseph Hospital's Pocket EKG program, call 800/794-DOCS (3627).

About St. Joseph Hospital

Founded in 1929, St. Joseph Hospital in Orange is a 462-bed, not-for-profit Catholic hospital dedicated to extending the healthcare ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. St. Joseph Hospital's reputation for compassionate care and clinical excellence -- as well as its highly recognized 1,000-member medical staff -- has earned it the distinction of "most preferred hospital" in Orange County.

St. Joseph Hospital's dedication to setting healthcare quality standards extends beyond the walls of the hospital's Orange campus. Through many outreach services, a free-standing medical and dental clinic, and mobile community clinics, St. Joseph Hospital meets the needs of the medically underserved. For additional information log-on to www.sjo.org or call St. Joseph Hospital at 714/771-8075.

About Cardiomark

Cardiomark LLC, manufacturer and distributor of the Pocket EKG, is a clinical based cardiovascular marketing firm providing hospitals, physicians and health systems with an innovative and clinical approach to business development, patient retention, patient loyalty and patient satisfaction. The consumer-focused programs are designed to build medical care partnerships between cardiovascular specific healthcare providers and patients with heart disease or at risk for heart disease.

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