MDNews - Mid Hudson

VASSAR BROTHERS MEDICAL CENTER (VBMC), PART OF THE HEALTH QUEST SYSTEM, HAS ESTABLISHED AN INTEGRATED SERVICE LINE FEATURING STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE THE FULL RANGE OF DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CAPABILITIES FOR THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF VASCULAR DISEASES. V A SCU L AR PATI E NT S O F TE N p r e s e n t w i t h m u l t i p l e comorbidities, which require a multidisciplinary approach to optimize outcomes. VBMC has created a team approach to treating and caring for these complex patients. This team includes specialty physicians, nurses and technologists. "Most of our patients have multisystem problems," says Andreas Spirig, MD, FACS, Chair of the Department of Surgery and vascular surgeon at VBMC. "For example, a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm frequently presents with high blood pressure and significant cardiac disease. We carefully evaluate these patients in collaboration with our cardiologists and other specialty physi- cians to optimize the treatment plan and allow for a successful surgical procedure." In addition to multispecialty teamwork, the VBMC team extends to personnel throughout the care continuum, notes vascular surgeon Stephanie Saltzberg, MD, Director of Vascular Research at VBMC. "We leverage the expertise of many ancillary services, including technolo- gists, nurses, referring physicians and support teams in the intensive care unit, emergency room and operating rooms," she says. "VBMC has established a high level of care throughout its hospital network and elevated the standard of care much higher than what is typically found in a community hospital." Melissa D. Shah, MD, vascular surgeon at VBMC, adds that the collaborative philosophy enables physicians to deploy innovative techniques for limb salvage, revascularization, and complicated venous and arterial diseases. "Although we use innovative techniques, the hallmark of Vassar Brothers' vascular surgery program is comprehensive care," Dr. Shah says. "Being able to leverage the expertise of multidisciplinary specialists is a critical component of providing the high- est standards of care for complex disease processes such as peripheral artery disease." Peripheral Blockage Nearly 8 million Americans have peripheral artery disease (PAD), a con- dition caused by narrowed or clogged arteries in the extremities. Blockages most often occur in the pelvis and legs, and symptoms, such as cramping, fatigue or pain, commonly present in proximal muscle groups. Sometimes, patients are Vassar Brothers Medical Center Offers One-Stop, Comprehensive Vascular Care By Michael Ferguson Melissa Shah, MD, vascular surgeon; Andreas Spirig, MD, FACS, Chair of the Department of Surgery and vascular surgeon; and Stephanie Saltzberg, MD, vascular surgeon and Director of Vascular Research, collaborate on a patient's treatment plan utilizing interventional radiology scans at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. COV ER FE AT UR E 6 | Mid Hudson MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

• Cover