TGMC’s CDU helping those experiencing heart failure

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We eat well in Louisiana.

But that’s also a double-edged sword.

In part because of our high-calorie, high-sodium diets, heart disease is a common killer in Louisiana – one of the leading causes of death within our state.

Knowing that, Terrebonne General Medical Center has taken strides recently to fight back.

To address the growing needs of the community, the hospital designed its specialized Clinical Design Unit (CDU) in August 2016 as a way to provide care for heart failure patients through extensive examination, personalized care plans and educational resources.

Since that time, the hospital has cut its readmit rate for heart patients in half – a number which continues to grow.

“By having this special unit and very carefully coordinated hands-on approach with a multidisciplinary team to provide the evidence based case, we are working to reduce readmission rates for our patients,” said Dr. Vinod Nair, a cardiologist with TGMC and the Cardiovascular Institute of the South.

In the CDU’s short existence, its successes are being noticed.

One of its strongest advocates is Mr. Willie Besson, who benefitted from the facility first-hand.

Besson, 70, is a veteran of the Air Force, has had a lot of health challenges in the past several years.

In his life, he’s had two heart attacks – the first coming when he was 31.

Besson has also endured triple-bypass surgery, a stent, diabetes, prostrate cancer, arthritis and most recently, surgery for a heart defibrillator.

Through the struggles, Besson said he’s able to live as happy and healthy a life as possible because of the services provided by the CDU. He said he and his wife Linda stay in constant communication with the hospital to make sure everything is OK.

“The entire care team are very concerned for my well-being,” Besson said. “They make sure I watch what I eat, monitor my weight and fluid intake every day. They take their jobs seriously and take pride in being informed. The program has clarified a lot of information for me.”