Breast Care at The Crestwood Women’s Center at Crestwood Medical Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

By awarding facilities the status of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the ACR recognizes breast imaging centers that have earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy).

Peer-review evaluations, conducted in each breast imaging modality by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, have determined that Crestwood Medical Center’s Breast Care has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs.

Julie McCain, breast care manager at Crestwood Women’s Center says, “I am extremely proud of what our team has accomplished to bring quality care to our community, reaching all of the Tennessee Valley. Our team of dedicated technologists and physicians has worked very hard to make individualized patient care the standard of care in our community.”

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Gold Plus award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for heart failure patients

HUNTSVILLE, AL— Crestwood Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to managing heart failure in patients.

More than 6.5 million adults in the United States are living with heart failure. Many heart failure patients can lead a full, enjoyable life when their condition is managed with proper medications or devices and with healthy lifestyle changes.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring heart failure patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines founded in the latest scientific evidence. The goal is speeding recovery and reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

“Crestwood is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients with heart failure by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure initiative,” said Kris Goodwin, Chief Nursing Officer. “The end goal is to ensure more people in North Alabama can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for heart failure patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their heart failure once at home. There are six levels of achievement – Gold Plus, Gold, Silver Plus, Silver, Bronze and Participating.

“We are pleased to recognize Crestwood for their commitment to heart failure care,” said Clyde W. Yancy, M.D., MSc, MACC, FAHA, MACP, FHFSA, national chairperson of the American Heart Association Heart Failure systems of care advisory group and chief, division of cardiology at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. “Hospitals that follow Get With The Guidelines protocols often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”

Crestwood Medical Center additionally received the Association’s Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90 % of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines-AFIB Gold award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for AFIB patients

HUNTSVILLE, AL— Crestwood Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Get With The Guidelines®-AFIB Quality Achievement Award for its commitment to managing atrial fibrillation (AFIB), ultimately helping to reduce patients’ stroke risk.

More than 2.7 million adults suffer from AFIB, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke and other complications. People with AFIB are at a five times greater risk for stroke, but proper treatment can reduce these risks.

Get With The Guidelines-AFIB was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating AFIB patients.

“Crestwood Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our patients with atrial fibrillation by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-AFIB initiative,” says Kris Goodwin, chief nursing officer at Crestwood. “The end goal is to ensure more people in North Alabama can experience longer, healthier lives. We commend our cardiovascular physicians and staff for their hard work and commitment to achieve this recognition.”

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for AFIB patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their AFIB once at home. There are four levels of achievement — Gold, Silver, Bronze and Participating.

“We are pleased to recognize Crestwood Medical Center for their commitment to atrial fibrillation care,” said Jonathan Piccini, M.D., MHS, FACC, FAHA, FHRS; volunteer expert for the American Heart Association and associate professor of medicine and director of cardiac electrophysiology for Duke University Medical Center. “Hospitals that follow Get With The Guidelines protocols often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”

About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

HUNTSVILLE, AL – August 23, 2021 – Crestwood Medical Center has administered almost 800 monoclonal antibody infusion treatments to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and meet certain criteria.

Crestwood began offering this treatment in late 2020 after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization. For certain individuals recently diagnosed with COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy may help prevent hospitalization or worsening symptoms. The infusion consists of man-made antibodies that mirror the antibodies of patients that recovered from the COVID-19 virus. Research shows that this therapy may limit the amount of the virus in the body; therefore, helping symptoms improve sooner.

Crestwood has seen positive results in the patients treated with this infusion therapy. Pam Hudson, M.D., Crestwood chief executive officer said, “We have heard from many of our patients that they started feeling significantly better within 24-48 hours after treatment. I have no doubt that we have kept many, if not hundreds, from being admitted to the hospital. This is another tool in our toolbox and one we are grateful to have to serve our community. People experiencing symptoms or who have tested positive should inquire about this therapy through their primary care provider to determine if they meet the criteria for this treatment.”

Monoclonal antibody therapy is approved for patients who meet the following:

1. Have positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing and within 10 days of symptom onset
2. Have a physician order to receive the treatment
3. Greater than or equal to 65 years of age.
4. 12 years or older with one of the following comorbidities:
   • Obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 25)
   • Chronic kidney disease
   • Diabetes
   • History of immunosuppressive treatment, immunosuppressive disease, or immunosuppressive treatment
   • Pregnancy
   • Cardiovascular disease or hypertension
   • Chronic lung disease
   • Sickle cell disease
   • Neurodevelopmental disorders
   • Having a medical-related technological dependence (e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy)

Monoclonal antibody therapy can be provided for post-exposure prophylaxis use in patients who meet the following:

• 12 years or older who is at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death and:
  • Are not fully vaccinated, or
  • Are completely vaccinated and are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (for example, people with immunocompromising conditions including those taking immunosuppressive medications) and
    • Have been exposed to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 consistent with close contact criteria per CDC or
    • Are at high risk of exposure to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2 because of occurrence of COVID-19 infection in other individuals in the same setting/institution (e.g., same household, nursing homes, etc.)

All patients must be able to participate in care and follow-up post-infusion with their healthcare provider. Monoclonal antibody therapy cannot be provided to individuals who are already in the hospital because of COVID-19 symptoms, to anyone who requires oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, or those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related issues.

Crestwood Medical Center is currently administering this one-time treatment Monday through Friday. A physician order is required and the team will contact the patient to schedule an appointment. People without a primary care physician and are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need to be seen should visit the Crestwood Respiratory & Flu Clinic located at 700 Airport Road, Suite D. The clinic is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Our community finds itself in another COVID surge; this one likely to be more intense than the last. The virus is doing what viruses do – they mutate into variants that can infect more people as quickly as possible. “Delta” is particularly effective – perhaps capable of infecting in less than 5 minutes of an exposure between individuals, compared to 15 minutes the other variants need.

There is an effective vaccine but currently, about half of our community has been vaccinated. That leaves half of our citizens (half the people at the grocery, half the people in the restaurant) unvaccinated and susceptible to serious illness, hospitalization and death. These are the severe outcomes that COVID vaccines prevent with over 90% effectiveness. These are very good odds.

Based on state data, of the 2379 COVID related deaths between January 19, 2021 and June 30, all but 25 (99%) were in unvaccinated individuals.

What must we do as leaders?

1. Vaccinate! Continue to talk with people you care about – your family, friends, church, employees, etc. If your message isn’t being heard, find people who have influence over these groups of people and ask them to speak out. Now is the time. The next significant variant is likely to come after this surge and there is time.
2. Mask early, mask often, mask a lot! For the unvaccinated, masks work to reduce or eliminate the viral load you might inhale. Masks and social distancing of 6 feet still works to keep you safe. And if you are fortunate not to be very sick or asymptomatic, the masks keep you from unknowingly infecting others. For vaccinated citizens…Thank you! Masks help keep you from picking up more viral load and should you have an asymptomatic case (this means the vaccine is working for you); it keeps you from spreading virus.
3. The last strategy is to remember we are a community and should be putting some of our personal energy toward the common good. Healthcare workers do just that. As they have done since April 2020, our doctors, nurses, and all other healthcare workers, will care for those afflicted. But they are not beginning this part of the COVID journey with “fresh legs.” They are heroic but fatigued. Please take advantage of the vaccine so you can be well and stay well. That is the best way of thanking them for what they do.

Vaccinate. Mask. Lead.

Pam Hudson, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Crestwood Medical Center

Crestwood Medical Center recently announced that Dr. Warren Strickland and Mr. Bobby White were recently appointed to its Board of Trustees. Both are appointed to a three-year term. Dr. Strickland is an interventional cardiologist with Huntsville Cardiovascular Clinic and Mr. White is the general manager of Woody Anderson Ford in Huntsville.

Mike Gillespie, chairman of the Crestwood board, stated “We are delighted and honored to have these gentlemen join our board. Dr. Strickland is a highly regarded physician leader in our community and will bring invaluable guidance to us as we continue our efforts to provide quality care to patients. Mr. White is a native of our community and served our country in the U S. Marine Corps. His tremendous business acumen and knowledge of our community will be beneficial as we further our mission to providing exceptional care and service excellence to those who seek us for their healthcare needs.”

The board of trustees at Crestwood Medical Center consists of local community leaders and physicians on its medical staff. Strickland and White join the following who are currently serving:

• Mike Gillespie, chair
• Tommy Beason, vice-chair
• Penny Billings
• Dr. Darla Cowart
• Leta Demaoribus
• Dr. Todd Foreman, chief of staff
• Dr. Jeff Garber
• Dr. Pam Hudson, CEO
• Dr. Eric Janssen
• Kim Lewis
• Dr. Patrick O’Neill
• Dr. Fay Raines
• Dr. Brian Roberts
• Dr. Smita Shah
• Dr. Warren Strickland
• Bobby White
• Dr. Peter Wilson

Good health. We all want it – a life where our bodies remain strong and able, allowing us to do the things we most enjoy. And, there’s never been a time when good health and wellbeing have been more essential for our human connections, whether it is the opportunity to hug our loved ones, meet the first grandchild, play with our teams, or gather with friends again.

At Crestwood Medical Center, we understand how important your health is, so whenever you need us, we’re dedicated to helping you get well and live healthier. Delivering on this mission takes tremendous resources, coordination and the commitment of a skilled and compassionate team.

Many essential workers keep hospitals open and running 24/7 – always available for your family. Housekeepers and maintenance workers keep our facilities safe, clean, and operational. Registration staff welcome you and case managers make sure you are discharged safely when your visit is over. In between, physicians review your condition, make diagnoses, order care and perform procedures that can save your life or improve your condition. Nurses provide care at the bedside to help ensure better outcomes, recovery and comfort. Surgical, imaging and other technicians perform important tests and procedures. Lab techs, pharmacy workers, therapists, supply chain managers, educators, and so many more people work together to make sure you have access to the medical care you need.

The people inside the walls of Crestwood Medical Center aren’t just skilled professionals and hard-working support teams. This past year, against a global pandemic, they have been heroes in our midst, unwavering in the fight for the health of their patients and the wellbeing of our community.

So I hope you will join us during National Hospital Week, May 9 – 15, 2021, as we salute and honor our local hospital team along with hospitals and healthcare workers across this country and around the world. Take time to thank your doctors and nurses and all of the others who are here for you – always.

Pam Hudson, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Crestwood Medical Center

Crestwood Medical Center Remains Steadfast in Service to North Alabama

I write today with hope for the future and gratitude for the resilience of our provider team at Crestwood Medical Center. The pandemic has demonstrated how interconnected we all are, the impact each one of us can have and the benefit of working together for a common cause. We care deeply about our community and remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver safe, quality healthcare services.

The arc of life is always present in a hospital, but its frailty has been very clear this past year. Tens of thousands of patients received the medical care they needed thanks to our physicians, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, lab techs, housekeepers, food service workers, and other providers who have worked tirelessly to maintain a safe environment. Our family of caregivers put aside their personal fears and concerns and came to help every single day, with bravery and courage.

In 2020, more than 1,200 babies took their first breaths here in our Maternity Center and we celebrated with their moms. More than 34,000 walked away in better shape than when they came in to our Emergency Department. Almost 22,000 left our facility with less pain following a joint replacement, a heart beating in rhythm after receiving a pacemaker or more blood flow after a cardiac cath, or a smile of relief when their screening mammogram or colonoscopy was clear.

With pride and relief we cheered hundreds of patients who left for home after beating COVID-19. But there have been times of sadness too, as our caregivers helped patients transition at the end of life and comforted the loved ones who grieve for their loss.

Helping people get well and live healthier is rewarding work, and we are grateful for the trust every patient places in us. And we feel the support of the community as they’ve extended thanks and encouragement through prayers, notes, artwork, signs, meals and more.

Led by a local administration and board of community leaders and physicians, we are putting our resources toward increased medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to our patients, including our newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with 10 private rooms for our smallest patients. So far this year, we have added two new labor/delivery/recovery suites and completed a refurbishment of our Maternity Center. We are also nearing completion of a new 10-bed gynecology surgery suite and new post-partum rooms. Many of our physicians are now offering telemedicine, making it easier than ever to see a doctor from the comfort of home.

We value our relationship with the Tennessee Valley. The more than $14 million in taxes we paid last year support critical infrastructure such as first responders, schools, and roads. Wages and benefits for our provider team generate buying power for local goods and services and help drive the local economy. And we deliver care for our most vulnerable residents, last year providing more than $119 million of charity and uncompensated care.

Hope is on the horizon as COVID-19 vaccinations are underway and we look forward to a time when we can all gather. Until then, keep up the safe practices – wear a mask or face covering, maintain social distancing and regularly wash your hands. By following these simple acts we can do extraordinary things.

Pam Hudson, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Crestwood Medical Center

Hospital welcomed more than 1200 newborns in 2020 and is prepared to deliver more this year

HUNTSVILLE, AL, 4/8/21 – The delivery of babies has been a happy event for the labor and delivery team at Crestwood Medical Center over the past year. Hundreds of infants have taken their first breath at the hospital and been a welcome sight in the midst of the global pandemic.

While the virus has changed many things in the world – the hospital’s childbirth center and nursery are a pleasant constant, located in a separate, enclosed area to provide specialized care and services. A dedicated team of nurses and obstetricians work exclusively with the moms and babies through delivery and post-partum care.

“The joy of bringing a new life into the world is a wonderful constant and it’s a privilege to support the moms and babies who are counting on us,” said Kevin McIntosh, M.D., department chair of women’s & children’s services at Crestwood Medical Center. “Our labor and delivery unit is a special place designed to keep them safe, with experienced nurses and central fetal monitoring.”

Pre-natal care remains critical and women are encouraged to stay in contact with their obstetrician and keep their appointments to be sure their pregnancy is on track. And once baby is here, regular visits to the pediatrician are important to help them thrive.

The hospital and physician clinics keep the safety of their patients as the top priority. Many actions have been taken to enhance infection prevention and support social distancing to maintain a safe environment during the pandemic.

When an expectant mom arrives at the hospital, she goes to the Crestwood Maternity Center entrance where staff will check her temperature, test for COVID-19, and complete an admission history. Moms can have two guests stay with them in their room throughout their delivery, in immediate recovery, and then when moved to the postpartum area. Once in the postpartum area, two visitors (ages 18 and older) are allowed from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Currently, there are no waiting rooms available. Individuals must wear a mask at all times and should minimize coming and going for the health and safety of mom and newborn.

“We are taking the necessary precautions for your protection,” said McIntosh. “Hundreds of moms have their babies here each year and we give each the personalized care they need.”

Labor and delivery proceed as they always have and most adjacent procedures remain available. Tubal ligation after delivery is an option if a mother is negative for COVID-19 and circumcisions can also be performed. Breastfeeding is encouraged, even for moms who test positive for COVID-19 and can protect their infant by wearing a mask.

For information on the Maternity Center at Crestwood Medical Center, visit www.crestwoodmaternitycenter.com or call (256) 429-5250. If you need help finding an obstetrician, pediatrician or another physician, visit the “Find a Doctor” link at the top of this page.