FEATURED COVER STORY
The Story Behind the Vascular Institute: An Amputation Prevention Center
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avigating the medical system for patients and
This lofty goal was not a task that one person alone
families is a daunting task filled with many
could accomplish; it could only be achieved with a strong
uncertainties and challenges. When problems
team dedicated to their patients, with love and a passion for
are severe, seeking specialty care can be a complicated
vascular care. By November of 2016, the doors were open,
process requiring distance travel and prolonged waits for
and Vascular Institute began greeting patients with our
the initial encounter. Evaluating all medical conditions
new paradigm for this practice for the greater Chattanooga
requires a triage process, a medical evaluation to
region. No longer would patients wait weeks for an
diagnose the problem, and a treatment plan that needs
appointment, but a planned approach to care was laid out
to be carried out. “What I realized was there had to be
for every patient encounter, ensuring that they were the
a better way to speed up the care for patients and create
priority for us.
a better system. It is unreasonable for patients to wait
Today, over 22.3 million Americans suffer from
a 4–6-week period for an appointment with a vascular
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or blocked arteries,
specialist, and ‘finding a better way’ is a core belief at
which causes over 185,000 amputations to be performed
VIC,” said Dr. Chris LeSar.
in the United States each year. Additionally, there is a
Vascular Institute was developed in late 2015 with
regional disparity, with 40% of these surgeries occurring
a specific plan to care for patients differently, having a
in the Southern states. This region needed a team with the
mission to prevent unnecessary amputations for the region,
knowledge, passion, and dedication to eliminate unnecessary
and provide state-of-the-art vascular care. The practice
amputations. Access to care at VIC encompasses a rapid
made the commitment for easy access to care, focusing
triage approach. Within three days, patients see one of our
on what was in the patient’s best interest, how the patient
providers, undergo a diagnostic ultrasound test, and if
would be treated, and how to triage, evaluate, and treat
appropriate interventional and surgical therapy is needed,
vascular problems in a timely manner without exception.
it can be performed at either our Chattanooga or Cleveland
30 // December 2021
outpatient surgical centers or the regional hospitals.
