The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus is 1 of only 2 Hospitals in the Nation to Earn Peripheral Vascular Disease Center Accreditation
Sep 16, 2022
EL PASO, Texas — The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus has proudly been accredited as a Peripheral Vascular Disease Center of Excellence by the Joint Commission. This makes the Memorial Campus one of only two hospitals in the nation, and the first in Texas, to receive this designation.
Hospitals receiving the Peripheral Vascular Disease Center of Excellence designation have demonstrated their commitment to consistent, high-quality peripheral vascular care and patient outcomes. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder causing the narrowing and/or blockage of a blood vessel which reduces the blood flow to limbs.
“Since we established El Paso’s only PVD program in 2016, our team has been dedicated to educating our community and patients on this debilitating disease,” said Dr. Laiq Raja, Cardiologist and Medical Director for the Peripheral Vascular Disease program at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus. “Six years later to have our team’s efforts recognized nationally for the care we are providing and the difference we are making in our patients’ lives is truly rewarding. With El Paso having a high incidence of PVD and diabetes, this is a serious issue and it is critical that we bring more awareness to this disease and program to reduce the incidence of the disease and complications from it, which include severe pain, non-healing wounds and limb amputation in the affected extremity.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the United States suffer from PVD. The classic symptoms of PVD are pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest, however up to 4 in 10 people with PVD can have no leg pain, leg or feet color changes, shiny skin, hair loss of slower hair growth on affected extremity, coldness to affected extremity and non-healing sores or wounds to legs, feet or toes. Risk factors for PVD include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and age over 70.
The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus established the PVD program in 2016 and continues to advance and expand services. Its multidisciplinary team of specialists work together to identify the appropriate tests and treatment needed for the patient when presenting with PVD symptoms. The dedicated nurse navigator guides patients from the beginning of their care through the recovery process.
“This is a tremendous achievement – to be one of only two hospitals in the nation and the first in Texas to achieve this designation is a significant reflection of our team’s commitment and dedication to excellence,” said Rob J. Anderson, CEO for The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and Providence Children's Hospital. “Six years ago, we saw a need for our community and invested in this program to ensure patients from throughout the region had access to this needed care and treatment. We are incredibly proud of our team for their dedication to providing outstanding care and making a difference in the lives of our patients.”
Hospitals receiving the Peripheral Vascular Disease Center of Excellence designation have demonstrated their commitment to consistent, high-quality peripheral vascular care and patient outcomes. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a slow and progressive circulation disorder causing the narrowing and/or blockage of a blood vessel which reduces the blood flow to limbs.
“Since we established El Paso’s only PVD program in 2016, our team has been dedicated to educating our community and patients on this debilitating disease,” said Dr. Laiq Raja, Cardiologist and Medical Director for the Peripheral Vascular Disease program at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus. “Six years later to have our team’s efforts recognized nationally for the care we are providing and the difference we are making in our patients’ lives is truly rewarding. With El Paso having a high incidence of PVD and diabetes, this is a serious issue and it is critical that we bring more awareness to this disease and program to reduce the incidence of the disease and complications from it, which include severe pain, non-healing wounds and limb amputation in the affected extremity.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the United States suffer from PVD. The classic symptoms of PVD are pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest, however up to 4 in 10 people with PVD can have no leg pain, leg or feet color changes, shiny skin, hair loss of slower hair growth on affected extremity, coldness to affected extremity and non-healing sores or wounds to legs, feet or toes. Risk factors for PVD include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and age over 70.
The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus established the PVD program in 2016 and continues to advance and expand services. Its multidisciplinary team of specialists work together to identify the appropriate tests and treatment needed for the patient when presenting with PVD symptoms. The dedicated nurse navigator guides patients from the beginning of their care through the recovery process.
“This is a tremendous achievement – to be one of only two hospitals in the nation and the first in Texas to achieve this designation is a significant reflection of our team’s commitment and dedication to excellence,” said Rob J. Anderson, CEO for The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and Providence Children's Hospital. “Six years ago, we saw a need for our community and invested in this program to ensure patients from throughout the region had access to this needed care and treatment. We are incredibly proud of our team for their dedication to providing outstanding care and making a difference in the lives of our patients.”