with the nearby Hospital Kuala Lumpur ( HKL ) on a pilot project named HKL-IJN STEMI ( ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction ) Network or HISNET . Through HISNET , HKL was able to immediately refer heart attack patients to IJN ’ s Emergency Department via a single phone call activation system . This collaboration drastically reduced patient wait times and enabled IJN to refine its own process . Following the success of this pilot project , the MySTEMI Network was established , where PCI-capable centres are linked to other hospitals with the aim of providing PCI services in a timely manner .
Ongoing innovation With the goal of maintaining its brand as a pioneer in heart health , IJN has continued to introduce inventive care models and treatments . Even the pandemic of the past two years has seen the centre roll out revolutionary procedures for its patients .
In 2021 , the centre performed two first-in-Asia procedures — the Covered Endovascular Reconstruction of Aortic Bifurcation ( CERAB ) procedure with CO2 angiogram , a new minimally invasive procedure to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease , and the introduction of a breakthrough bioprosthetic valve called the Tricvalve Transcatheter Bicaval Valves System . Meanwhile , in the first half of 2022 alone , IJN was the first in Southeast Asia to carry out a highly complex electrophysiology procedure using the Acutus heart device , as well as introduce the inventive ballooning device , the POLARx Cryoablation System .
Innovation at IJN is not limited , however , to clinical procedures alone . Rather , the centre has taken forward-
Dr Ravi Shrestha & En Akmal Akmal Arief Mohamed Fauzi
thinking steps to make innovation a part of its entire approach to cardiovascular and thoracic care . Rather than narrowly focusing merely on the heart alone , IJN takes a broad picture view to help patients assess and manage their overall well-being . This integrated approach can be readily seen in the consultation clinics available at the centre . These go beyond the cardiology , cardiothoracic , and paediatric cardiology specialities to also include respiratory , diabetic , and smoking cessation services .
Additionally , digitalisation has also become part and parcel of the centre ’ s management and delivery of care . IJN is currently in the process of implementing a whole-hospital IT system to streamline all its records and processes to enable clinical staff to access and collaborate efficiently .
Having been Malaysia ’ s premiere heart specialist for the past 30 years , IJN has worked hard to stay at the forefront of cardiovascular and thoracic health . We have served over five million patients and advocated for improved health outcomes for millions more in the community .
Being Malaysia ’ s top heart specialist for the past 30 years , and having served over five million patients , IJN continues to work hard to remain at the forefront of cardiovascular and thoracic health . As the centre continues to grow and expand its range of comprehensive services , it looks forward to being the nation ’ s partner in good heart health .
66 SEPTEMBER 2022 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com