Cardiovascular patients protected through cardiology care cycle
GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Committee of the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) and hosted by the General Hospital of the Guangzhou Military Command of the PLA, the "1st Forum for China Chest Pain Centers" was held in Guangzhou on October 22, 2011. Top domestic emergency and cardiovascular experts gathered to discuss the development of China chest pain centers and share their experience. At the conference, the General Hospital of the Guangzhou Military Command of the PLA announced the formal establishment of China's first civil-military inosculation chest pain center.
Based on its joint effort with Philips, the General Hospital of the Guangzhou Military Command of the PLA has committed itself to improving early diagnosis, reducing misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of acute chest pain. The establishment of China's first civil-military inosculation chest pain center will also form a crucial piece in a coordinated regional first-aid network. The center combines modern first-aid chest pain treatment with the most advanced mobile Internet technology to remotely transmit, in real-time, the patient's vital signs from the scene to the Chest Pain Center of the General Hospital. A physician at the hospital then provides remote guidance to first responders at the scene.
Acute chest pain is a common but deadly disease, with a case occurring every 12 seconds in China. Well-known movie star Gu Yue and crosstalk comedians Ma Ji and Hou Yaowen all prematurely lost their lives to cardiovascular diseases showing signs of acute chest pain which were missed and were not treated in a timely manner. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, acute chest pain shows a high misdiagnosis rate which can result in a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce mortality and improve the prognosis.
The establishment of rapid and effective diagnosis and treatment channels for acute chest pain is a new area of exploration for medical researchers in China and abroad. One result of this exploration is the "chest pain center." It was introduced as a clinical path to lower the incidence and mortality of acute myocardial infarction. The chest pain center relies on multi-disciplinary cooperation between the emergency medical system (120), emergency department, and cardiology and medical imaging. Patients experiencing acute chest pain receive a rapid and accurate diagnosis and risk assessment from the chest pain center, followed by appropriate and effective cardiac treatment. Overall, the chest pain center improves prognosis, enhances efficiency and saves medical resources. The world's first chest pain center was established in the United States in 1981. At present, a number of countries, such as Britain, France, Canada, Australia and Germany, have established chest pain centers in hospitals.
"Thanks to the cardiology care cycle, the Chest Pain Center has substantially enhanced its ability to successfully treat acute chest pain. 'Going to the General Hospital in case of chest pain or chest distresses' has become a new goal for our Chest Pain Center. We are committed to developing the Center into the best treatment facility for acute chest pain patients in south Guangdong," said Mr. Liu Jian, Dean of General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA
"As a leading global provider in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, Philips is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions through innovative technologies and advanced clinical management approaches," added Desmond Thio, president of Philips Healthcare Greater China. "Our 'cardiology care cycle' is meant to cut through the boundaries between medical care areas, such as disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and health management, in order to simplify the medical care process, reduce mortality and complications, and improve patients' life quality. It is a great honor for us to work with the General Hospital of the Guangzhou Military Command. We believe the establishment of a Chest Pain Center will further enhance China's acute chest pain treatment level which means that more patients will benefit."
Currently, Sihui City People's Hospital, Fogang Town People's Hospital, and other hospitals at country level have joined the emergency treatment network of the General Hospital. People have benefited with a number of acute myocardial infarction patients in Sihui and Fogang being successfully rescued and treated. In August, the Chest Pain Center performed the task of medical emergency services guarantee during Universiade 2011 Shenzhen and successfully carried out a remote diagnosis and provided rescue guidance for a patient suffering from chest pain.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs over 120,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.3 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
