Furry friends are welcome guests of hospital inpatients

Thanks to a "Furry Friends" program, Fido the family dog may be a welcome visitor to inpatients at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Under the program, patients can experience the joy of a visiting pet, either their own or a dog certified for hospital visits by the Delta Society Pet Partners Program, a national organization that trains and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. "These two programs bring much pleasure to our patients," said Kristina Nove, C.T.R.S., recreation therapist, adding that research shows that relationships with animals have a positive influence on health. Petting, stroking, and interacting with pets reduces stress, decreases loneliness, and enhances well-being. For more information about the certified dog visitation program, call Nove at 319-356-1109 or Sue Tietz at 319-356-1107. Patients interested in the family pet program--which is available on select units only--should talk with the nursing staff on their units. 

Emergency Treatment Center offers on-site chest pain assessment

Beginning in late January 2004, patients who reported to the Emergency Treatment Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with chest pain began receiving specialized evaluation in a new Chest Pain Center. UI Heart and Vascular Center specialists in the center provide standard tests for chest pain and heart risk assessments. Patients not having a heart attack are discharged without an inpatient stay. Patients having a heart attack are admitted to an inpatient floor for medical or surgical intervention.

UI Heart and Vascular Center opens new service in southeast Iowa City

Iowa City residents have a new option for receiving preventive heart care following the opening of a UI Heart and Vascular Center outreach clinic at UI Family Care, Southeast Iowa City, located at 1130 Scott Blvd. The diagnostic testing and consultation clinic, offering stress echocardiograms, transthoracic echocardiograms, and treadmill stress tests, is open Wednesday afternoons. For an appointment, call UI Clinical Outreach at 319-353-7208.

Former Michigan surgeon leads UI cardiothoracic surgery

Mark D. Iannettoni, M.D., former director of the University of Michigan Hospital's programs in adult minimally invasive surgery, photodynamic therapy, lung volume reduction, and lung transplant, has been appointed director of cardiothoracic surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Iannettoni said the division's focus will include esophageal surgery, heart failure, cardiac transplantation, pediatric surgery, cardiac assist devices, minimally invasive surgery, and lung transplantation.

Generous gifts endow Steindler Chair at University of Iowa

Through gifts to the UI Foundation, a group of family, friends, colleagues, students and current UI medical leaders have enhanced the legacy of Arthur Steindler, M.D., by creating an endowed chair in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Services that bears his name. During his 37-year University of Iowa career (1913-1949), Steindler was the first head of orthopaedics and was the driving force behind the creation and growth of University of Iowa Children's Hospital and Iowa's pioneering Indigent Patient Care Program.

Ophthalmology program ranks high in magazine survey

The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences was ranked third for "Best Overall Program" in a yearly survey that ranks ophthalmology programs nationwide. The rankings, released by Ophthalmology Times in its Nov. 15, 2003, issue, were based on a poll of ophthalmology department chairs.

Dear patient: for room service, just dial '1-2-3'

Much like hotel guests, inpatients at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics can now order what they want, when they want it, off a menu.

"All they have to do is dial '1-2-3' to place their order and within 45 minutes, we'll deliver food to the bedside," said Joan Dolezal, director of Food and Nutrition Services. "It's no longer necessary to choose today what you want to eat tomorrow."

Dolezal said the a la carte room service provides patients with a more satisfactory hospital experience and reduces food waste. The hospital offers 25 general, pediatric, and special menu choices until 8 p.m., with all orders checked to see that they fit the patient's prescribed diet.

It is the first such comprehensive service in Iowa, and one of the first in the nation.

Patients who cannot make their own calls for room service receive personal visits from Food and Nutrition staff members who submit orders on their behalf.