BEST PROVIDERS OF SPECIALIST CARE
The leading role IJN has played over the years is also exemplified by the numbers of those who have been treated there . Since its inception , in fact , over three million outpatients have received treatment at the centre , which has also registered about 300,000 in-patient admissions , over 80,000 cardiac surgeries , and more than 200,000 invasive heart procedures .
Those numbers matter because the more patients doctors , and surgeons in particular , see the more skilled they become . “ One of the factors that patients consider when choosing the right doctor is experience , quality of care , and complexities of the conditions the doctor has treated ,” Dr Aizai explained .
A sizable portion of those patients hail from overseas , with Indonesians making up the bulk of the 3,000 to 4,000 international patients who flock to IJN every year seeking high-quality care at an affordable cost . Medical travellers from Myanmar , Vietnam , and Bangladesh are also a common sight at IJN . This reflects the popularity and trust the centre has achieved beyond Malaysia ’ s borders .
“ As Malaysia ’ s premier and South East Asia ’ s largest cardiac centre , IJN has been growing its presence , locally and regionally , on the back of a proven and respected brand name synonymous with quality heart healthcare ,” said Dr Aizai .
Imaging , which plays a key role in cardiology , is another enduring area of strength for IJN . For doctors to be able to diagnose a particular heart condition , they need to be able to see what they ’ re dealing with . IJN ’ s wide range of modalities for imaging
Datuk Dr Ahmad Khairuddin Mo Hamed Yusof
the heart helped it win this year ’ s Global Health Asia-Pacific Award for Advanced Imaging Service Provider of the Year in the Asia-Pacific .
Among IJN ’ s innovations are 4D echogram machines , which have been added to the hospital ’ s non-invasive repertoire , alongside 2D and 3D echos to image the heart . Cardiac MRIs are particularly useful in treating paediatric patients since they don ’ t use radiation , unlike PET-CT scans .
“ We ’ re trying to avoid using radiation in babies and young children as far as possible ,” said Dr Aizai . “ Cardiac MRI is a useful technology for doing that . While we also have two multi-slice cardiac PET-CT scanners , these models are useful for diagnosis and also to prognosticate patients with heart failure , so that we ’ re able to refine or recommend the best therapy for them .”
Having the most advanced equipment is central to cardiology , meaning that the best heart centres must stay current by investing in the latest technology , the chief executive stressed . This is even the case when there might be just a two-year window between the introduction of the latest equipment and the arrival of new machines that will supersede it .
“ I firmly believe we need to be on the leading edge . The technology is there , and it ’ s available to enable doctors to diagnose the disease and treat it earlier .
“ This approach is also good for the patients ; they don ’ t have to wait a long time to have their treatment . The investment that we ’ re putting into these new technologies is substantial , but it ’ s also very worthwhile ,” Dr Aizai added .
An illustration of how high-tech devices can make a real difference for patients came last July , when IJN became the first hospital outside the US to implant the Micra AV pacemaker to treat AV block , a form of heart rhythm blockage where the electric signals between the chambers of the heart are impaired .
The milestone is significant because some patients with heart rhythm problems cannot have traditional pacemakers implanted due to their size , which makes the surgery risky exposing patients to complications like displacement of the device . However , “ the Micra AV is about the size of a vitamin supplement capsule , making it one of the smallest pacemakers in the world ,” and provides patients with a safer procedure that can be performed in a minimally invasive way , said Dr Aizai . With the oldest one being 81 , six patients have already undergone the procedure at IJN , which takes 30 to 45 minutes , making it easier for patients to tolerate it even in advanced age .
40 DECEMBER 2020 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com