Steve Berkowitz

The Value of Medical Accreditation

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Steve Berkowitz

  The thought of another medical accreditation typically brings a chorus of groans from the caregivers, administrative team and the hospital staff. One immediately conjures up visions of the Joint Commission coming in unexpectedly and the huge hassles and expenses involved in maintaining certification. One thinks of the anxiety of the survey visit and the… Continue Reading >>

Steve Berkowitz

Hypertension and Health Care Costs– Two silent killers!

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Steve Berkowitz

Early in my practice a patient came in to see me for a routine physical. “I feel great, doc. I just need a physical and this form filled out.”. On exam, everything was completely normal except for a blood pressure of 180/100. “You are not fine.”, I told him, ” You have high blood pressure.”…. Continue Reading >>

Steve Berkowitz

Protect that Pump! A new appreciation of Cardiac Health

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Steve Berkowitz

Last week I returned from a very insightful and stimulating Board meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. One of the things that I most love about this meeting of very accomplished physicians and health care leaders is that I always come away with some terrific insight that I never would have otherwise anticipated…. Continue Reading >>

Steve Berkowitz

We should be very impressed with how physicians and hospitals have worked together to reduce door to balloon times in patients with ST elevated myocardial infarctions (STEMIs). It was not uncommon several years ago for the patient to wait several hours after presenting to the ED with an acute myocardial infarction before the occluded vessel… Continue Reading >>

Steve Berkowitz

Maybe We Should Put Statins in the Water Supply

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Steve Berkowitz

No one argues the beneficial effect of fluorides in the water supply. I am the first to concede that testimonials are one of the lower forms of evidence. On the other hand, six years ago I found out that I had asymptomatic left main coronary disease requiring an immediate cardiac bypass. True, I had mild… Continue Reading >>