Cardiovascular health care in Jamaica has became more cutting edge, according to Dr Victor Elliott – cardiologist and managing director of Partners Interventional Centre of Jamaica (PICJ) – thanks to the opening of the cardiac care centre. And more improvements are to come, as one year later PICJ is busy looking for ways to improve and provide world-class heart health care for its clients.

“Last year we opened the doors of Jamaica’s first fully functional cardiovascular centre located in a private hospital; and it was with the goal that we would provide first-rate medical services that positively impacted the lives of our patients and our partners,” Dr Elliott said.

He detailed the achievements the facility has made in its first year of operation while speaking at the organisation’s anniversary dinner on February 28, at the Courtyard Marriott in New Kingston.

“It pleases me to say that we continuously strive to meet that goal, and it has resulted in a culture and environment at our centre that is deeply committed to meeting needs of those we care for.”

The evening was one of celebration and camaraderie as doctors and partners of PICJ recognised the strides the company has made in one year. PICJ is the first private entity in Jamaica to house a fully functional catheterisation laboratory. Since its opening, the lives of more than 400 Jamaicans have been saved or improved, owing to procedures done in that lab, while approximately 2,000 consultations and diagnostic procedures have assisted Jamaicans in living richer lives.

While they have only been in operation for one year, PICJ holds one of the quickest times-to-treatment rates in the entire region for patients suffering cardiac incidents. This achievement is largely due to the experienced doctors at PICJ remaining innovative through continuous training and development, to ensure that everyone is skilled and informed on the latest technology and industry best practices.

“Our latest innovative adoption is the MyCareLink from Medtronic that allows patients with pacemakers to send us data about their pacemakers using their smartphones,” Elliott said. “This has made the world of a difference because now we don’t need to wait until the patient realises something is wrong; we have to stay on top of the situation every step of the way.”

Medtronic is just one of the partners with which PICJ collaborates to provide the best care for its patients. Through partnership with other cardiologists, PICJ now offers electrophysiology studies and pacemaker insertions. Also, through its constant partnership with Medical Associates Hospital, where PICJ is based, all patients benefit from 24-hour emergency services for chest pains and heart attacks.

With one year under their belt, the doctors at PICJ have more in store for Jamaicans in their next year of operation. One such plan is to continue championing the heightened awareness of heart disease and prevention practices. The centre participated in two major campaigns in 2018 to spread awareness of heart health and to remind Jamaicans to visit a doctor at the first sign of chest pain. This is of utmost importance to the team which is committed to remaining Jamaica’s Partners for Life.

— Alexis Monteith