Norfolk, Va. -
March 20, 2006 Heart failure is a leading cause of hospital admissions across the U.S. But thanks to a new simulator, doctors and nurses who care for heart failure patients can now experience first hand, the real-life symptoms of the disease.
The educational simulator, the
Heart FX Pod by AstraZeneca, will be located at the entrance of Sentara Heart Hospital, on the campus of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, 600 Gresham Drive, Norfolk on Monday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sentara Heart Hospital is providing the simulator as an educational service to health professionals in the region. The simulator is designed to help healthcare providers better understand the impact of Class II and Class III heart failure on their patients. Immersed in a multisensory, interactive patient-perspective simulation, participants gradually feel the frightening effects of heart failure, which can include shortness of breath, fatigue and exercise limitation, even when performing simple daily activities.
Symptoms of heart failure are often difficult to describe and we hope that this experience will help physicians better understand what our patients are experiencing, said cardiologist John M. Herre, M.D.
"Our goal is to identify heart problems earlier in their course so that appropriate therapy can be prescribed at a time when it is most beneficial. This new simulation tool can provide medical professionals a first-hand look at how important both of these areas are for patients well being," Dr. Herre said.
All health professionals in the region are invited to attend the free demonstration. To RSVP and schedule an appointment to participate, call Amy Ross, Sentara cardiac education, at 388-8054.
Sentara Healthcare is a premier not-for-profit health care provider in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
21/2006