Heritage Valley E-Connections - September 2, 2022

Heritage Valley Health System E-Connections aims to increase community awareness of our services and locations. You can also stay connected by visiting our Website or downloading the HVHS App.

September 2, 2022

Heritage Valley Health System's E-Connections newsletter is published bi-weekly.

Our next issue will be Friday, September 16, 2022.

Atrial Fibrillation Awareness

September is National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about this potentially life-threatening condition. AFib is an irregular heartbeat or a condition in which the heart muscles fail to contract in a strong, rhythmic way. A racing, pounding heartbeat that occurs for no apparent reason should not be ignored, especially if accompanied with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, chest pain or unusual fatigue. AFib may affect your ability to perform daily activities and impact your overall quality of life.

To help patients with AFib, Heritage Valley Electrophysiologists are now performing Atrial Fibrillation Ablations in the Heritage Valley Beaver Electrophysiology Lab. The AFib ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses hot or cold energy to create scars in your heart tissue where the arrhythmia, or irregular/abnormal heart rhythm, is occurring. At Heritage Valley Beaver, we use Cryoablation (cold) and Radiofrequency (hot) ablation methods. The scars help to block the transmission of the electrical signals that cause the atrial fibrillation.

By re-establishing normal heart rhythms in people with certain arrhythmias, AFib ablation can help to control the heart rate in people with rapid arrhythmias and reduce the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart failure or other health complications.

For more information on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation or to schedule an appointment with Electrophysiologists Dr. Maninder Bedi, Dr. Christopher Kolibash or Dr. Glen Miske, please call 724-773-4502.

Certified Primary Stroke Centers

One of the biggest concerns with AFib is the risk of stroke. Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley hospitals are certified as Primary Stroke Centers by the Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. This certification identifies our programs as being capable of providing prompt evaluation and treatment to any stroke patient who comes to these facilities. According to the Joint Commission website, achieving Primary Stroke Center Certification means that we are making exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes. It’s a signal that the quality of care we provide meets the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients.

Having the stroke center designation reduces response times for area residents suffering from stroke symptoms. This means that our patients won’t need to travel far for care and will receive treatment in the critical time after symptoms occur. Heritage Valley works closely with local EMS services to develop a refined process for assessing symptoms.

A key aspect of the Heritage Valley’s stroke response teams is the “telestroke” system Heritage Valley has developed with Pittsburgh hospitals. Heritage Valley Beaver physicians are connected by video to neurologists at UPMC facilities, and Heritage Valley Sewickley physicians are connected to neurologists at Allegheny Health Network.

Tito Francona Memorial Golf Classic

A good time was had by all at the 32^nd annual Tito Francona Memorial Golf Classic! The Heritage Valley Health System Foundation recently hosted the event at Olde Stonewall Golf Club with 136 golfers in attendance. Former Cleveland Indians’ and St. Louis Cardinals’ star John “Tito” Francona first held the Tito Francona Golf Outing in 1989 in memory of his late wife, Birdie, who was treated for cancer at the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital.

Attending again this year was Tito’s son, Terry Francona, Manager of the Cleveland Guardians, along with his daughter, Alyssa, and three Cleveland Guardian coaches. “We are truly grateful for Terry’s continued support of the Golf Classic and his dad’s passion for Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO.

Since 1989, this event has raised over $3.3 million, enabling us to purchase equipment and support the John “Tito” Francona Heart & Vascular Center in Beaver. Heritage Valley’s Heart & Vascular Center includes leading cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons and cardiologists, as well as nurses and technicians who are highly trained to perform cardiac and vascular testing and procedures. To reach the John “Tito” Francona Heart & Vascular Center, please call 724-773-4502.

Pictured left to right: Mike Sarbaugh, Terry Francona, Alyssa Francona, Brian Sweeney and Kyle Hudson

Heritage Valley Surgery Centers

Did you know that, in addition to our hospitals in Beaver, Kennedy Township and Sewickley, Heritage Valley Health System offers a complete line of high-quality outpatient surgical services at the locations listed below?

The Beaver Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Surgery Center at Edgeworth Commons provide safe, comfortable and convenient settings for many types of outpatient surgeries. Both centers are open Monday – Friday, beginning at 6:00 am, and patients return home on the same day as their surgery. Consult with your physician or surgeon to find out if treatment at one of these two centers is right for you.

Beaver Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center

79 Wagner Road

Monaca, PA 15061

724-624-9901

Surgery Center at Edgeworth Commons

301 Ohio River Boulevard, Suite 100

Sewickley, PA 15143

412-741-1170

COVID Corner

Doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are available for children ages 6 months through 11 years by appointment at Heritage Valley Pediatrics in Chippewa/Beaver Falls. Vaccine and booster appointment days and times vary. Walk-in times are not available.

Heritage Valley Pediatrics – Chippewa/Beaver Falls

2580 Constitution Boulevard

Chippewa, PA 15010

For information about scheduling pediatric vaccines, please click here.

Heritage Valley is offering second boosters at its ConvenientCare Walk-In Clinics in Center Township on Tuesdays and in Robinson Township on Thursdays. Boosters are available by appointment only.

Center Township ConvenientCare Walk-In Clinic (Behind the Beaver Valley Mall)

79 Wagner Road, Suite 200

Monaca, PA 15061

Robinson Township ConvenientCare Walk-In Clinic (Next to PNC Bank & DSW Shoes)

2201 Park Manor Boulevard, Suite 200

Pittsburgh, PA 15205

For information about scheduling a COVID booster, please click here.

For information about scheduling a COVID test, please click here.

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