Traditionally, women with uterine fibroids have had two options for resolution– either undergoing a hysterectomy or a myomectomy (surgical removal of the uterine fibroids). Many choose the first, with 150,000 hysterectomies each year triggered by unwanted uterine fibroid symptoms. However, to remedy what is becoming a frequent problem for more and more women, physicians have recently been putting an old tool to use- embolization.

While used in the past to aid in treating pelvic bleeding and trauma, these days embolization is also becoming a much more common and preferred way to treat uterine fibroids. Many women prefer to have their fibroids treated via embolization because the procedure is much less invasive and requires significantly shorter recovery times. Uterine fibroid embolization has an 85-92% success rate, while with a myomectomy, 10-30% of women experience a recurrence in fibroids. Furthermore, bypassing several days in the hospital for recovery and weeks of bedrest post-hysterectomy adds to the appeal of the procedure.

Embolizations are performed via a small puncture in the groin artery. The procedure takes roughly an hour to complete and is followed by a one-day stay in the hospital for intravenous pain medication. Women who undergo embolization are usually able to return to normal activity after just a week.

Learn more about uterine fibroid embolization or attend our uterine fibroid seminar Thursday, June 3rd (select “uterine fibroids” from the drop-down).

Emory Healthcare is currently involved in something we call ‘Care Transformation’. This is an initiative that spans all aspects of our organization and puts our patients and their families at the center of our efforts. We realize the importance of care being a collaborative process, whereby doctors are working with patients rather than on them. Because we pride ourselves on being an innovative health care provider and believe collaboration is an important piece of the health care puzzle, we are embracing social technologies to develop two-way communication channels with our community. We are committed to giving our patients and the community a voice and an easy opportunity to interact with our doctors and staff to get questions answered.

With that said, some of the things you will find in our Advancing Your Health blog include the opportunity to watch physician/patient videos and ask questions of the physicians themselves right online. You will also find stories of patient experiences here at Emory Healthcare, such as our recent blog series by Daren Wang, a patient who experienced LASIK Surgery and described the journey on our Emory Vision blog. Our blog and availability on other social networks are just two of the ways we are working to truly transform the status quo of patient care.

If you have suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover or information you’re interested in getting from our blog, feel free to let us know by commenting on the blog posts. We truly look forward to extending our patient interactions beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics and into the virtual world.

Morgan Griffith, Emory Healthcare Communications Specialist

With the goal of constantly improving the patient experience, Emory Healthcare has taken another positive step in improving patient convenience and wait times. For the hundreds of patients visiting the Emory Clinics daily, there is now a more central location for them to fill and pick up their prescription medications– right onsite! The new Emory Pharmacy, located on the Second Floor of the Emory Clinic, Building A is scheduled to open to patients and the Emory community on May 24th.

The new outpatient pharmacy will offer the typical array of prescription medications that you’d see at your local pharmacy and will also provide a variety of less typical medications that are commonly prescribed to cancer and transplant patients at Emory Healthcare. Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and general wellness supplies will also be provided at this new pharmacy location.

Each ICU room now includes an electroencephalogram (EEG) and a viewing station to monitor patients. Additional renovations that improve patient care include ceiling-mounted patient lifting equipment and glass doors that block sound and allow nurses to view patients from nursing stations. To add comfort for patients and family, the new ICU features new flooring, furniture, upholstery, and flat screen televisions.

Ranked by US News & World Report for neurology/neurosurgery, Emory Healthcare is dedicated to providing quality care. Specialty certified nurses in the ICU directly involve the patient, when possible, and the family members in the patient’s care while hospitalized.

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