NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

Parrish Healthcare Offers Breakthrough Sleep Apnea Treatment

Parrish Healthcare is among the first health systems in the state to offer Inspire, a breakthrough treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea patients unable to use or get benefit from the traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Similar to a pacemaker, the Inspire device is implanted under the skin and uses a remote control to synch your breathing while sleeping.

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn inspire on before bed and off when they wake up.

The Inspire system consists of a stimulation lead and a breathing sensor, powered by a small battery. The system is placed under the skin of the neck and chest through three small incisions during an outpatient procedure. Most patients return home the same day and take over-the-counter pain medications as needed.

Inspire therapy is for patients who can’t tolerate or get consistent benefit from traditional CPAP therapy, however the line of treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. The CPAP system takes air from the room and humidifies the air that blows into the mouth and/or nose of the patient through a hose and face mask. That continuous air keeps the airway open to prevent snoring and trouble sleeping. Patients must first fail on CPAP before sleep doctors consider them for Inspire.

The inspire sleep apnea treatment is the latest advancement offered as a part of Parrish Healthcare’s sleep medicine services. Other services include consultations with sleep physicians, sleep coaching, mask fitting, oxygen testing and narcolepsy testing. For more information and to learn if the Inspire treatment may be right for you, visit www.parrishhealthcare.com/InspireSleep

Space Coast Health Centers Now Open

Space Coast Health Centers (SCHC) is now open and accepting patients to provide behavioral health, OB/GYN and primary care services to north Brevard County and the surrounding communities. The center is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday with locations in Titusville and Cocoa, Florida.

“We are proud to begin providing unconditional, high-quality services to patients regardless of their ability to pay,” said SCHC CEO Arvin Lewis. “74 percent of north Brevard County patients that can access a healthcare center, don’t receive all the services they need. Our principles of C.A.R.E. (compassion, accountability, responsiveness and effectiveness) keep us focused as we deliver services to the medically underserved.”

To fill the gap needed for broader healthcare services, SCHC collaborates with area hospitals/health systems; state and local agencies; foundations and other local healthcare providers. This healthcare model allows for proactive patient-focused preventative care.

SCHC will offer telemedicine for those who prefer or need care from the comfort of their home. For more information about SCHC and services provided, please visit www.spacecoasthealthcenters.org

Poinciana Medical Center, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division - Orlando Market, announced construction has resumed at the site of its future freestanding emergency department, ChampionsGate ER. The project was first announced in the summer of 2019 and temporarily postponed at the onset of the pandemic. Now, construction of the 24/7 emergency care facility for patients of all ages has resumed with the goal of opening to the public in summer 2021.

Located at 8460 Champions Gate Blvd., the 11,000-square-foot facility will feature 11 private patient care rooms and a dedicated trauma room, as well as laboratory and imaging services, including a CT scanner, ultrasound and X-ray technology.

“Creating immediate access to high-quality emergency care for residents across Central Florida has never been more important,” said Chris Cosby, CEO at Poinciana Medical Center. “With the establishment of our new freestanding emergency department, we’ll bring state-ofthe-art emergency care to the fast-growing ChampionsGate area. With lifesaving care available close to home, ChampionsGate residents and families can rest easy knowing that we’re here if they need us.”

The new freestanding emergency department will employ approximately 30 emergency medicine physicians and staff, including Board Certified physicians specializing in emergency medicine on site 24/7. Nurses will be certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), with advanced training in trauma, pediatric emergency and neonatal resuscitation.

To learn more, please visit www.ChampionsGateER.com

Halifax Health Sees Record Number of Trauma Patients During 2021 Bike Week

Preliminary numbers have been released regarding the number of trauma patients treated at Halifax Health during the ten days of Bike Week 2021. Total patients during Bike Week experiencing trauma and admitted to Halifax Health numbered 150 in 2021. Of those admissions over the 10 days of Bike Week, 91 of the admitted patients were related to Bike Week. This number compares with an average of 62 admissions over the last 4 years. The trauma team was activated 97 times in the ten-day period. Fourteen of the patients were passengers, and just under half of the patients were wearing helmets. According to Lindsay Martin, RN and Director of Nursing, “our community saw an unusual number of total patients needing trauma care during Bike Week. We had more than the usual number of accidents at home and work places. At one point we had four patients needing trauma care at the same time.” Halifax Health has the only trauma center in Volusia County and Flagler County and partners with the Volusia Sheriff’s Department to provide helicopter transport. “Halifax Health was created to take care of the people of the community and that includes those visiting the community. We have the highest level of care in the area and amazing Team Members who save lives every day,” said Jeff Feasel, Halifax Health President and CEO.

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA || GRAND ROUNDS

Ocala Health Begins Construction On 36 Bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and Emergency Room Expansion at West Marion Community Hospital

Area residents, local officials and business leaders were present as Ocala Health leadership broke ground today on the site of the new 36 bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at West Marion Community Hospital.

The $33M project at West Marion Community Hospital will add over 40,600 square feet of new space dedicated to inpatient rehabilitation services. This project will include the addition of 36 inpatient beds, bringing the total to 222 inpatient beds. The Emergency Department at West Marion Community Hospital is also expanding as part of this project, with the addition of six low-acuity beds that will create a fast-track space, an expanded waiting room, as well as a new emergency room entrance. Additional parking will be added as well, with 49 parking spots being added for a total of 783 parking spaces. The project is scheduled to be completed in August 2022.

“With the recent addition of advanced neurological and stroke care capabilities at Ocala Health and the certification of Ocala Regional as the region’s only comprehensive stroke center, in addition to our trauma services, we recognized the need to offer additional rehab services to these patients,” says Gabe Bullaro, CEO, West Marion Community Hospital. “Our team has demonstrated excellent care in response to trauma and stroke and now we are excited to offer the next step in the treatment process, leading to a comprehensive continuum of care. This inpatient rehab unit will be an environment for patients to regain function of day-today activities. For example, there will be a specialized fitness facility and dining facilities so patients can practice these activities before returning home. This investment reflects our continued commitment to deliver the highest quality of care for the patients of Marion County.”

Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital Named America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery

Poinciana Medical Center Resumes Construction on Full-Service Emergency Department in ChampionsGate

Hospitals for spine surgery according new research released by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems.

The hospitals that have achieved the Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for spine surgery have demonstrated exceptional quality of care. “Now more than ever, consumers understand the importance of hospital quality and starting to become more diligent when researching where they receive care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades. “When selecting a hospital, consumers can feel confident in the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for orthopedic surgery for their commitment to quality care and exceptional outcomes.”

This commitment to quality care is showcased through the excellence Ocala Health has achieved in the spine surgery service line. Ocala Health has established itself as #3 across HCA Healthcare in spine surgeries and is ranked #1 in spine surgeries within the North Florida Division of HCA Healthcare.

“This achievement is a demonstration of the patient-focused approach adopted by our multi-disciplinary team in the care of patients in need of spine surgery,” says Praveen Reddy, MD, Neurosurgeon, Ocala Health. “We are very proud to be recognized as a top 100 hospital for spine surgery. This award demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the highest quality care for our patients.”