French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) which along with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH) and Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), are Dignity Health’s Central Coast hospitals, is pleased to introduce San Luis Obispo County’s only cardiac electrophysiology program.
Electrophysiology (EP), is the science of diagnosing and treating the electrical activities of the heart, or heart rhythm disorders. Physicians specializing in EP specialize in the treatment of irregular heartbeats that are the result of abnormal electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat too quickly, slowly or irregularly. Cardiac EP services have been incorporated into an FHMC catheterization lab, which has been equipped with world class technology, and will provide leading-edge cardiac rhythm management capabilities.
With the addition of EP, health care staff and physicians will be able to diagnose and care for ailments such as atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Until recently, patients had to travel out of the area to seek treatment for this condition.
“As one of the top-rated cardiac hospitals in the country with a proven record of excellence in cardiac care, we are excited to provide San Luis Obispo County’s only cardiac electrophysiology program,” states Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO of French Hospital Medical Center. “The addition of this innovative new service will greatly decrease the need to travel out of the area for exceptional cardiac care.”
With the announcement of the EP program, FHMC welcomes Chris Porterfield, MD MPH. Dr. Porterfield is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Diseases and sub-specializes in Electrophysiology. He has been appointed Medical Director of the FHMC Electrophysiology Program.
“The addition of electrophysiology to the FHMC cardiac program reinforces the commitment of French Hospital to bring advanced services and programs to the area,” said Dr. Porterfield. “With increased growth in our cardiac capabilities, we are able to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythm disturbances so that our patients can return to a healthy and active life.”
French Hospital Medical Center is now home to the Central Coast’s first cardiac hybrid suite, a space where interventional radiologists, cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons can work side-by-side in the same room, at the same time. The George Hoag Family Advanced Hybrid Surgical Suite delivers the latest in high-tech imaging, computer and diagnostic equipment, and newly developed surgical capabilities to a traditional cardiovascular catheterization lab.
Additionally, MRMC is currently undergoing programmatic development of an electrophysiology program to diagnose and care for patients in Santa Barbara County.
About French Hospital Medical Center
French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is rated one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation and one of the Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals in the nation by Thomson Reuters. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provide the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology on the Central Coast. The hospital’s current modernization and redesign project is an example of the commitment to meet the growing needs of the community with lifesaving advancements in medicine coupled with excellent, compassionate care. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. French is a Dignity Health member of the Central Coast which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA. Dignity Health of the Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.