"Queen's Heart" Embraces Big Concepts, Convenient Services

(Right to left) Jennifer Wong, driver, Cardiac Curbside; Leilani Kala-Makahi, driver; Suki Hayashida, unit secretary, Cardiac Recovery; Ronnell Yamane, scheduler, Cath Lab; Tom Williams, RN, and Garla Souza-Roy, RN.

The concept of "Queen's Heart" is big. Simply put, Queen's Heart is located anywhere Queen's health professionals care for people's hearts. Queen's Heart as a department was previously called the Queen's Heart Center, but "center" was dropped because there is no central destination for heart related services—nor should there be. If there is a "center" in all of this, it's a focus on the patient.

Cathy Young, RN, vice president, Patient Services, envisions Queen's doctors, nurses, technologists and other staff that take care of people's hearts all as part of a team that comprises Queen's Heart, wherever they may be physically located. A part of creating this big team approach has led Queen's Heart to launch the Cardiac Transfer Center and Cardiac Curbside.

The Cardiac Transfer Center makes it easier for doctors and other hospitals to access services. "One phone call starts the process," says Garla Souza-Roy, RN, coordinator of the Cardiac Transfer Center. "No other arrangements are necessary." Doctors typically request transfers to Queen's if a service is not available at the current hospital. Souza-Roy reserves a bed, obtains a cardiac nursing report, verifies insurance and arranges transport. In most cases, the patient can receive services upon arrival at Queen's without delay. Office hours are Mondays through Fridays, 8:00am to 5:00pm, but the Center is on-call 24/7. The Cardiac Transfer Center can be reached at 808.547.4707 (1.877.762.4931 toll-free from the neighbor islands).

Some outpatients don't have a way to get to Queen's and back home again for invasive procedures or for those that require conscious sedation. Cardiac Curbside is a complimentary car service that picks up patients who have no other means of transportation. The free ride, available anywhere on Oahu, has drivers trained in CPR and first aid. Cardiac Curbside can also be reached at 808.547.4707.

In addition, coming in 2006 are three advanced technology cardiac catheterization labs, complete with all the latest equipment.

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in America, Queen's Heart is working to positively impact cardiac care, not only at Queen's, but throughout the State. Queen's Heart is about the big picture of heart care in Hawaii.