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the back of the heart, surgeons can repair the dysfunctional valve via sternotomy or minimally invasive methods. Surgeons determine the approach on a patient-to- patient basis. "Unless the situation requires open surgery, we perform most valve operations minimally invasively," Dr. Rovensky says. "The literature supports this approach to operating." Continuum of Care Even though the St. Francis Hospital Open Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan Hospital is in its early stages, the experienced cardiac surgery team and ancillary staff allow it to already offer impeccable standards of care from the time patients arrive at the hospital for initial evaluation through postoperative follow-up. Pa rt of the progra m's success in this regard comes from careful atten- tion to the patient experience. After each discharge, Drs. La Mendola and Rovensky and the staff discuss every aspect of the patient's stay to identify possible ways to improve the patient experience. Even after patients leave, Dr. La Mendola personally calls them to help ensure their well-being. The program also emphasizes communica- tion with referring physicians. The lines of communication are always open. Add it iona l ly, a n at mosphere of ultimate respect extends from cardiac surgeons to the entire staff. "We not only encourage everybody to speak up, we consider it a responsibility. If anyone perceives something that bothers them about a patient — per- haps a housekeeper notices something when changing the sheets in a patient's room — he or she should bring it to a physician's attention," Dr. La Mendola says. "We've had that policy in the St. Francis Hospital operating rooms for yea rs, a nd at Good Sa ma rit a n Hospital, I'm bringing that idea out of the operating rooms and into every aspect of patient care. We're encourag- ing an atmosphere of collaboration throughout the program to ensure the best care for our patients." For m ore inf or m at i on a b out th e St. Francis Hospital Open Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan Hospital, please visit www.goodsamaritan.chsli.org. ■ with sternotomy and reduce postoperative pain and discomfort. Minima lly inva sive mitra l va lve repair addresses functional deficits caused by calcification, laxity or leak- age. Mitral valve dysfunction results in inefficient circulation from the lungs to the heart. Dr. La Mendola says that over the last two decades, the standard for mitral valve leakage has become repair. Because the mitral valve lies in an area in An entire clinical team from St. Francis, including cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, registered nurses, nursing technicians and perfusionists, was relocated to Good Samaritan to staff the open-heart surgery program. The cornerstone of the program is two newly constructed operating suites dedicated to open-heart surgery. Dr. La Mendola performs open-heart surgery at Good Samaritan. COV ER FE AT UR E 1 0 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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