Strict measures are in place at De Los Santos Medical Centre (DLSMC), so patients can set aside their fears. It's very safe, even for those undergoing procedures.
Celebrating its third anniversary this month, DLSMC is proud of providing a safe environment for all types of patients, especially for those undergoing cardiac operations for both adult and children.
Interventional cardiologist Dr. Danilo S. Santos, unit head of DLSMC CathLab, says "We clean and sterilise the whole CathLab after every procedure which takes two hours. We don't overlap our cases. We are also proud to say that no CathLab staff has ever been diagnosed with Covid-19 due to our strict social distancing and adherence to policies set by the Infection Control Committee. We have a clear definitive, and standardized protocol that is available to every health care provider."
To add, DLSMC staff are regularly checked for Covid-19 symptoms via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, making sure it's safe for both healthcare workers and patients. Dr. Santos, adds, “Before we did any procedure, we made sure that patients were Covid-negative after undergoing RT-PCR testing prior to admission. For emergency cases, we wear Level IV personal protective equipment (PPEs). Operators and staff are also aware of the donning and doffing practices for PPEs according to instructions and mandate by the Infection Control Committee."
CathLab has been operating non-stop with procedures such as as Coronary Angiogram, Coronary Angioplasty, Pacemaker Insertion, 4-Vessel Cerebral Angiogram, and Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary
Drainage (PTBD). Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) device closures were conducted on 100 children in 2020.
“We will continue to follow the rules and guidelines set forth when it comes to patients’ and healthcare workers' safety towards Covid-19. We will ensure that all our doctors and staff are always safe and protected. We will never stop supporting all the endeavors of the CathLab and the entire Cardiac Interventional team,” says DLSMC vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer Dr. Nilo C. de los Santos.
Education never ends with its doctors, adding Chronic Total Occlusion Workshops in 2018 and 2019 with Japanese interventional cardiologist Dr. Shozo Ishihara, training local operators in handling difficult cases. “There is solid departmental education and professional development such as cross-training programs for nurses and radiology technicians that improve their knowledge and expand their skills," says Dr. Santos.
CathLab has other specialists such as electrophysiologist, interventional radiologist, and ionterventional nephrologist, enabling the department to perform specialized procedures such as temporary and permanent pacemaker insertion, pulse generator replacement, cerebral coiling, and hemodialysis access management.
Within three years, DLSMC has successfully conducted 776 adult and 212 pediatric cases. With a goal of expansion, DLSMC is committed to providing safe environment and affordable services for its patients.
For inquiries about DLSMC CathLab services, contact 889-DSLMC (35762) ext. 3550 or visit the DLSMC official website www.delossantosmed.ph