New medications and lifestyle changes can often control arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. For more serious conditions, Akron General has the area's most experienced cardiologists in using catheter ablation, pacemakers and small implantable defibrillators to help patients control their hearts and lives. The Heart Center is also currently involved in two national research studies utilizing treatment of congestive heart failure. We emphasize individualized patient and family care using a multidiscliplinary approach. We initiate patient education and discharge planning early in the patient's hospitalization to ensure a smooth transition upon discharge.
Nurses collaborate with physicians and care managers to optimize all aspects of patient care.
They are specially trained in caring for patients requiring intraaortic balloon pumps and the institution of thrombolytic and interventional procedures. Our Cardiac Surgery nurses provide each cardiac surgical patient with personalized preoperative education and postoperative recovery instructions. Our commitment to aggressive ambulation, cardiac monitoring and pain control also distinguishes our nursing care. Our nursing care managers follow each cardiac patient throughout his or her hospitalization and discharge. The success of our postoperative day-one transfers has decreased the amount of time patients spend in critical care areas and allows our cardiac telemetry nursing staff to focus on cardiac monitoring, medication therapy and education.