A Neighborhood Vein Center- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
A Neighborhood Vein Center- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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August 18, 2000
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In This Issue:
A Neighborhood Vein Center
Survey Action Teams Are Set To Get Started
New Mammography Screening Center meets needs
What Are BWH’s Mission, Vision and Goals?
Pike Notes
Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestras Vidas Celebration
BT Cash-out
John A. Mannick
New Shuttle Stop
There are a number of places where a patient can go for medical or cosmetic treatment of vein problems. But at the Brigham and Women’s-Faulkner Vein Care Center (BFVC) at Faulkner Hospital, patients can see a vascular-trained surgeon in a small clinical setting and can develop a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to an individual’s needs and lifestyle. The BFVC, which opened in January, combines BWH’s high standards of quality care with Faulkner Hospital’s outstanding reputation and neighborhood setting. Together, the affiliated hospitals have developed a center that efficiently treats a variety of vein diseases. Although all aspects of vascular disease are diagnosed and treated there, the Center’s main focus is the treatment of vein disorders—from cosmetic problems to chronic disease. “We feel that [vein disorders and diseases are] a need that has been underserved in the community, and also nationally,” says Patricia Furey, MD, FACS, medical director of the BFVC. “There are very few centers of excellence for venous diseases—a spectrum of diseases that haven’t gotten a lot of recognition in the past.” Because Faulkner Hospital has an on-site accredited vascular lab, the results from a BFVC patient’s initial exam can be obtained extremely quickly, and a treatment plan devised shortly thereafter. The treatment options include sclerotherapy (in which an injected agent closes a vein and forces blood to travel through healthy veins), laser therapy, and surgery. While many patients visit the BFVC for cosmetic procedures, a number of patients are successfully treated for more serious and complex chronic vein problems. Although high demand for their services keeps them busy, the staff of the BFVC works with every patient to arrange timely and efficient treatments. “We try to accommodate their schedules so we can make it reasonable for them to be seen in a timely fashion,” says Furey. She adds that the small size and convenient neighborhood location of the Center are key benefits to its patients. “Each patient requires something a little bit specific. Everybody gets treated individually and specifically for whatever condition they have.”