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Health Matters:

Peachtree Regional Hospital offers state-of-the-art emergency room service

In the emergency room at Peachtree Regional

Hospital, an elderly woman nervously awaits stitches to sew up

the delicate skin of her hand, cut in a household accident. To

her surprise (and relief) instead of stitches, she receives a

painless application of Dermabond ® ,

a remarkable new adhesive that can work as well as stitches

on certain wounds. Peachtree Regional Hospital was first in

the area to offer Dermabond.

Richard Sobel, M.D., Board-certified

Emergency Medicine specialist, says, "Dermabond brushes on

virtually painlessly, and immediately forms a clear,

flexible bond." Dr. Sobel continues, "It protects the wound while

it heals, then simply sloughs off." According to the patient,

"It didn't hurt a bit!"

Cardiologists at Peachtree Regional are pleased

with Vasoseal - a new sealant for use in arterial procedures.

Well-known cardiologist Robert Whipple, M.D., commented,

"I wish we'd had Vasoseal a long time ago; it reduces patient

discomfort following cardiac catheterization, because

the patient doesn't have to wait six hours to get up and about."

Another breakthrough is the most accurate test of

bone strength ever developed. Known as QCT, for

Quantitative Computed Tomography, it alerts physicians to the

possibility of osteoporosis, which affects half of women over

age 55 and a third of men over 75. The test is quick, painless

and inexpensive. QCT is Medicare-reimbursable and

available through Peachtree Regional's Radiology department.

Physicians prefer patient care to record-keeping,

yet they require an accurate and complete update on

each patient's condition and treatment. To meet both

needs, Peachtree Regional has installed CPCS, an

electronic system which physicians can access from any location to

get up-to-the minute reports on lab tests and other developments

in their patients' condition.

Surgeon Garnet Craddock, M.D., praises CPCS: "I

was skeptical at first, but the convenience and efficiency of

instant, electronic reports free up time I prefer to spend with

my patients."

Recently, the hospital added Speech Therapy to its

extensive Physical Therapy program. Adults and children

with speech or swallowing disorders now have convenient,

outpatient access to a speech language pathologist.

Peachtree Regional Hospital, a community-focused,

143-bed hospital housing the area's largest emergency room

and exclusive newborn delivery services, recently announced

a joint venture agreement with renowned Emory Healthcare.

Linda Jubinsky, CEO of Peachtree Regional,

said, "Naturally we are honored and pleased to be affiliated with

so universally respected a medical center. Of all the

advances we have recently introduced, none more clearly

addresses our highest priority: excellence in health care, close to home."

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