Cardiology Features

Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Echocardiography (3D) is by no means a new way of assessing a patient’s heart and its function. However, with recent advances in technical quality and new innovations in the way we use Echocardiography the test is changing. With our new Phillips IE33 ultrasound machine Indiana University Health North Hospital can now do 3-D Echocardiography. This means that we are no longer limited to the two-dimensional world of the heart. Our technicians can create new slices and views that were never seen before, and they can better visualize function and valvular integrity of the heart.

Our technology allows us to capture one real time 3-D image and post process it to create multiple images. This means that we only need to capture only a hand full of images to create an entire study, as apposed to 2-D imagery that required 50 or 60 individual images. This decreases the length of time the exam takes making it easier on the patient and technologist. This technology will also give way to more accurate and faster stress tests in the near future.

Nuclear Cardiac Imaging

Nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging is a modality (human-computer interaction) that aids in determining a patient’s risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). This process is achieved by injecting radioisotopes and evaluating the blood flow to the heart muscle during increased activity. Images are taken at rest and after exercise. At IU Health North Hospital we utilize the Siemens E-cam multiangle cardiac system. This system allows us to accommodate patients of different sizes by imaging in either a 76 or 90 degree angle. We can also use automatic body contouring which increases image quality and resolution by allowing decreased distance from the body of the patient.

The system comes with a cardiac armrest that increases patient comfort while decreasing the risk of motion artifacts. The Siemens E-cam also provides cardiac imaging with a gate and ECG simultaneously. What this means is that images of the heart are captured at different points in the cardiac cycle and are put together in a cine, or moving display. This allows for interpretation of wall thickness, motion, perfusion, ventricular volume and ejection fraction of the heart. The system software package allows for attenuation correction as well. Attenuation correction in MPI imaging reduces the amount of false-positive results. It achieves this by "correcting" for breast, diaphragm, and sub-diaphragmatic organs. Overall, this technology allows better patient comfort, better image quality and better overall satisfaction for patients and their physicians.

Additional Features of IU Health North Hospital

Preventing errors and maintaining the highest patient safety standards remain some of IU Health's guiding principles. New safety measures have been implemented at IU Health North Hospital to ensure that you are safe.

Bar Code Scanning of Medications

Medications ordered by a patient’s physician are entered into a centralized computer system. Before nurses dispense a pill, vial or syringe, they scan employee, patient and medication identification codes. The bar code technology alerts care givers if there are any discrepancies such as wrong dose or time.

Comfortable Environment

All associates at IU Health North Hospital attend a class in orientation teaching them about bariatric procedures and weight sensitivity. We can ensure that you will never feel uncomfortable when dealing with a member of your care team. Each of our bariatric rooms is equipped with state-of-the art technology, including a flat screen television, DVD player, furniture to accommodate all individuals, motorized beds and spacious bathrooms.

The Strength of Friends

When a health-related life-changing event happens, it’s only natural for family and friends to want to help. Whether it is a cancer diagnosis, the birth of twins or anything in between, a new, free website offered through IU Health, The Strength of Friends, is now available to support hospitalized friends and family.

The Strength of Friends is designed to help a team of family and friends respond in an organized and helpful way when a loved one is hospitalized. The Strength of Friends site can be used to coordinate schedules for meals, child or pet care, errands and more; provide information and blog updates; post photos; and allow friends and family to post messages. There is also a feature offering ideas of ways to provide cheer.

Prompts & Alerts

A number of various prompts and alerts are part of the system as well, including the following: allergy alerts, drug-to-drug interactions, drug-to-food interactions, follow-up reminders and educational information about diseases and treatments. These alerts pop up as the nurse or other caregiver is administering medication and scanning bar codes into the system.

IU Health North Hospital features some of the most state-of-the-art technology to ensure that you and your baby are well taken care of during your stay. Some of these features include:

Single Patient Chart

IU Health North Hospital is also moving to electronic patient charting, to create a single patient chart, instead of paper copies for each clinician or caregiver. Electronic charting done at IU Health North Hospital and physician offices located at IU Health North Hospital are also accessible to clinicians across the IU Health system. The patient’s privacy is still protected, as access to patient medical records is only granted to those at the appropriate levels.