Introduction
The proposed institution under whose aegis this research study is being carried out is the Belle Vue Clinic at New York, which was established way back in 1736 as a six-bed infirmary. It is proposed to take up a detailed study of the following departments in this institution.
Dermatology Dept.
BVC is considered to be one of the largest of its kind in the world, and over the years of its dedicated medical service to communities, it has provided medical solace to millions of patients suffering from skin diseases of various kinds. (Residency overview, 2009).
The main diseases for which people came to this department are cutaneous lymphoma, leg ulcerations, pigmented lesion, dermatologic surgery, STD involving the skin, etc. (Residency overview, 2009). Besides routine services, Bellevue also conducts ten- weekly general management dermatology clinics and many sub-specialty clinics, including connective tissue, contact dermatitis, Hansen’s Disease, lymphoma, etc. Other specialized surgical and dermatological interventions carried out include sclerotherapy, injections of collagen and other filler substances, Botox, and hair.
Oncology Dept.
Presently, Medical Oncology Clinic at Bellevue Hospital offers reduction laser therapy. (Perelman, 2008). 600 patients visit this department per annum. Under the guidance of superior oncology attending physicians, the clinic facilitates advanced state-of-the-art care to patients with cancers of the lung, breast, GI tract, and other sites. The recently facilitated Ambulatory Oncology Clinics provide for the even greater quantum of visits by outpatients and increase involvement in multidisciplinary patient caring. “Bellevue annually admits over 26,000 patients and accommodates over 300,000 outpatients while its Emergency Department treats more than 115,000 patients.” (Resources, 2001, p.127).
The Health Center treats all kinds of cancers, with special emphasis on the following:
- Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Oral Cancers
- Endocrine Surgery
- Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Thyroid and Parathyroid (Head and neck surgery & oncology, 2009).
It is seen that Specialized Disease Management Group (SDMG) renders personalized yet professionalized services with utmost care and attention and the use of interventions based on factors like the onset and stage of disease, age, health profile, etc.
Gastroenterology Dept.
The main kinds of diseases that are treated in this Department, interalia, are liver cirrhosis, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Whipper’s Disease, etc. (Guide to gastroenterology, 2009).
The main diagnostic tools and tests that are used in the treatment of gastroenterology are Computerized tomography (CT) Scans, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, (EUS), Liver function tests (LFT), Pancreas function test (PFT), Motility tests, liver biopsy, etc. (Division of gastroenterology, hepatology, & nutrition, 2009). It needs to be mentioned that Gastroenterologists are experts in up-to-date medical and surgical intervention for the prevention and containment of these diseases. Facilities of enterostomal nurses are also available for colostomy and ileostomy patients. (Division of gastroenterology, hepatology, & nutrition, 2009).
Pulmonary Dept.
The main kind of diseases falling under this category are Chronic Obtrusive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) like bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and other conditions that cause difficulty in breathing, due to lung diseases. Conditions like asbestosis and mesothelioma can also be treated in this department.
The diagnostic tools for these diseases are physical examinations and routine Blood tests, and if necessary – Pulmonary function tests, Chest x-rays, CT scans, Bronchoscopy, Brochoalveloar lavage, Lung biopsy, etc. (Interstitial lung diseases (ILD), 2009).
The specialized type of pulmonary care and intervention would be about “flexible bronchoscopes with associated techniques including transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy, brushings, bronchoalveolar lavage and tranbronchial node aspirates (TBNA).” (Bellevue hospital center, 2005).
Other programs would be in terms of electrocautery, electrocautery, cryotherapy, argon plasma, laser therapy, and stent placement, and rigid bronchoscopy. Another kind of intervention that could be used is in “closed pleural biopsy, insertion, and management of small-bore thoracostomy tubes and transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. “ (Bellevue hospital center, 2005).
Cardiology Dept.
The main kind of heart diseases that Bellevue Hospital deals with are congestive heart failures, coronary ailments, common artery diseases and conditions, valvular disorders. (Bellevue hospital, 2005). Besides, arrhythmia, heart strokes, and thrombosis, and other heart conditions are also treated. It is seen that every year around 4000 encounters and interventions are carried out for different heart ailments and complications. It has also set up a pacemaker clinic and heart failure clinic. The telemetry system has a 26-bed ward which has provision for wireless monitoring of patients with coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia.
Endocrinology Dept.
The main kinds of heart diseases that Bellevue Hospital deals with in this department are Cushing’s disease, Sheehan’s Syndrome, thyroid diseases, nephrolithiasis(kidney stones), diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, obesity, etc. (Conditions We Treat, 2005).
The various methods and interventions being used for control and treatment of these diseases are monitored in the division of Endocrinology faculty for in and outpatients, facilitated by Tisch Hospital, Bellevue Hospital Center, and Veterans Affairs Hospital. At Bellevue’s diabetes care center, nearly 6000 annual encounters are performed while the Endocrine and Diabetes clinic at the VA handles an additional 2,000 patient visits per year.
Obstetrics Dept.
The main aspects regarding obstetrics would-be mothers, before, during, and after childbirth. All risks covering childbirth need to be identified, assessed, and constantly monitored, during the birth term and risks associated with premature delivery, Caesarean sections, etc. At Bellevue, obstetricians and nurses take full care of all aspects.
The Perinatal Diagnostic Center (PDC) possesses state-of-the-art modern technology offering full care and gynecological comfort, even in extremely complex childbirth cases. There is another specialized package of services offered by Bellevue’s Pediatric Resource Center which is only one among the handful available in New York City. (Faculty’s facility background information, 2007).
Gynecology Dept.
The main type of diseases in women would be tumors and fibroid in the uterus, vaginal mole and other conditions, abnormal vaginal bleeding, infertility, sexual dysfunction, etc. (Gynecology, 2009). There could also be complications arising out of conception, advanced pregnancy, or during or after delivery. The various procedures could be hysterectomy, laparoscopy, abnormal pap smears, LEEP procedure for cancers, ultrasound, and x-rays, etc. The ultrasound systems available in this department are world-class and match with those available in most reputed clinics in the US. The faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides excellent in-house faculties and also undertakes Women’s Heath mobile services.
Orthopedics Dept.
Treatment of injuries, fractures or tears or disease to bones, ligaments, muscles or joints, or in other words, the musculoskeletal diseases form part of this department. Besides this, the health care professionals provide Hand, Implant, Fracture, Pediatrics, Sports Medicine, and Scoliosis. (Locations, n.d.). It is believed that nearly 8000 patients make use of the orthopedics facilities available in this hospital and more than 1000 orthopedic procedures are carried out here. Besides this, the Trauma ward of Bellevue is recognized as one of the best of its kind in the US.
Neurology Dept.
The main kind of neurological diseases or conditions treated are, interalia, epilepsies, Parkinson’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, cerebral strokes, meningitis, brain tumors, etc. This hospital, through specialized faculty of doctors and nurses, offers comprehensive electronic diagnostic provisions like EEG, EMG, motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. It is also possible to gain access to
Transcranial Doppler Laboratory facilities for assessing the state and capability of intracranial blood movements and oxygen supply in the patient’s brain, and other specialized functions that need to be reported for the correct assessment of the patient’s health conditions would determine the future course of treatment.
Conclusions
It is seen that the Bellevue Hospital, in co-ordination and co-operation with other specialized health centers in New York, including the NYU Medical Center provides solace and succor to thousands of patients – inpatients, outpatients and mobile patients
Bellevue hospital has provided exemplary services, especially in the wake of 9/11, and attended to the dead and disabled victims of the terrorist attacks with the greatest degree of competence and excellence, especially under the unexpected circumstances under which it occurred.
Among the various projects that stand out regarding 9/11, the following is conspicuous: “ Expanding HHC’sWorldTrade Center Environmental Health Center, which began as an asthma clinic at Bellevue Hospital, by adding locations in Lower Manhattan and Queens. Nearly 2,700 adults and children who were exposed to the WTC disaster have been treated, most of whom were able to receive health care from physicians with specific knowledge of 9/11-related health conditions for the first time. ” (World trade center medical working group of New York city, 2008, p.22, para.5).
It is indeed heartwarming that Bellevue has been able to contribute to better health and welfare of the people of New York City, especially during difficult times and bring succor and comfort to thousands of victims during these unprecedented occurrences.
References
Bellevue hospital center: Bellevue consultation service. (2005). NYU Department of Medicine: Division of Pulmonary and critical care Medicine. Web.
Bellevue hospital. (2005). NYU Department of Medicine: Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology. Web.
Bellevue hospital center: Bellevue consultation service (2005). NYU Department of Medicine: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Web.
Conditions We Treat: Hypothalamic and Pituitary Disorders. (2005). NYU Department of Medicine: Division of Endocrininology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Web.
Division of gastroenterology, hepatology, & nutrition. (2009). UPMC. Web.
Faculty’s facility background information. (2007). Web.
Gynecology. (2009). NYU: Langone Medical Center. Web.
Guide to gastroenterology: Diseases and conditions. (2009). UPMC. Web.
Head and neck surgery & oncology. (2009). NYU: Langone Medical Center. Web.
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD). (2009). Mesothelioma: All about Malignant Mesothelioma. Web.
Locations. (n.d.). NYU: Hospital for Joint Diseases: Orthopaedic surgery. Web.
Perelman, R O. (2008). Department of dermatology: New York University. Web.
Residency overview. (2009). NYU: Langone Medical Center. Web.
Resources: Bellevue hospital. (2001). Web.
World trade center medical working group of New York city: 2008 annual report on 9/11 health: How New York city is meeting current needs. (2008). Web.