MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT: Health First Quickly Quells Patient’s Heart Procedure Concerns

Jackie went to Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital and underwent an outpatient procedure

“The hospital was very clean, and you could see everything they were doing to keep the hospital clean. They were very conscientious.” – Jackie Hurt

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Jackie Hurt of Merritt Island hadn’t been feeling quite right for a few days. Then, he received an urgent phone call from his doctor’s office.

The company that monitors his dual-lead pacemaker had noticed some irregularities in Jackie’s heart rhythm and notified his physician.

“I’m really lucky to have a great electrocardiologist,” Jackie said.

“When he said I had a serious situation and needed to have a procedure right away, I didn’t really question his decision or the seriousness of the situation. The very next day, an appointment was set up, and I was in the hospital soon after that.”

Jackie went to Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital, where he underwent an outpatient procedure to switch out his existing device for a four-lead pacemaker. Within a few hours, his son was taking him home.

But Jackie admits he was initially hesitant about visiting a hospital during a pandemic.

“I did think about it, and it is certainly something you can’t help but worry about a little bit,” he said, “but I trusted my doctor and his advice. I trusted his sense of urgency, and I knew that by delaying the procedure, I had a much higher risk of dying. The decision was simple.”

Once at Cape Canaveral Hospital, Jackie said he felt completely at ease, and any fears of contracting COVID-19 were quickly replaced with optimism for a quick discharge and better-functioning heart monitor device.

“The staff, from the moment I came in, they were very nice and made me 100% comfortable with their policies and procedures,” he said.

“I came in wearing a mask, and I was able to wear it throughout my procedure. Everyone else was wearing a mask, too, from the moment we walked in the door. They were very good about talking me through what to expect. The hospital was very clean, and you could see everything they were doing to keep the hospital clean. They were very conscientious.

“It really was a Catch-22,” Jackie continued. “I could have waited – and risk something really bad happening. Or I could have the procedure right away. I had the confidence in my doctors and the hospital that they would take care of my situation. They’ve never failed me before, and I never hesitated. Now I’m back up and back at it!”

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