Cardiologist joins HSA

By Iris Stoner, iris@cfp.ky

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A German cardiologist takes up a two–year contract at the Cayman Islands Hospital starting Monday.

Dr. Peter Schultz managed a large non–invasive cardiology practice in Hamburg, Germany, from 1977 to 2005.

He also served as medical consultant for cardiology for two different hospitals spanning five years.

The Health Services Authority can now expand its cardiology services, said Dr. Tamer Tadros, medical director of the HSA.

“He is well–experienced in the field of cardiology. He is also well–equipped in the management of cath labs and starting new initiatives.

“He is also very skilled in communications. He is a fantastic person who comes here with a huge amount of enthusiasm. He’s come to face a challenge and to help us build this service,” Mr. Tadros said.

Mr. Schultz’ arrival will coincide with starting to establish a cath lab, Mr. Tadros said.

“Dr. Schultz has extensive experience in establishing and operating cath labs and in the difference between non–invasive and invasive cath labs.

“We’ll do the initial assessment for the infrastructure and the team we’ll need when he gets here, so we can start initiating the placement of a cath lab.”

Technical advances in the field have made the non–invasive choice the right one for the HSA lab, he said.

“Before, you needed an invasive cath lab to get an accurate image. Now there are new machines that can scan without inserting any catheters. With the 3–D technology you actually get a better picture without exposing patients to any possible complications of invasive procedures,” Mr. Tadros said.

The HSA is also establishing a partnership with two major US cath labs; one private and one university–based.

The advantage of the partnership is that any patients that do need specialised help can get it.

“In the very few cases that require it, we will work with the US cath labs to utilise their facilities to deal with those patients. For people who need surgery, it is better to send them to a centre with a high concentration of expertise.

“We are doing the same as many hospitals in the US – doing needed highly skilled cardiac interventions except in specific cases where you need invasive procedures,” Mr. Tadros said.

Most cases can be treated here, he added.

“We can confer with the US cath labs and do the diagnosis and initial treatment here and in most cases offer full treatment in a very sophisticated way,” Mr. Tadros said.

Most of the patients can be treated medically rather than surgically, he said.

Representatives from the two labs will come to Cayman for discussion with Mr. Tadros and Mr. Schultz next month.

Mr. Schultz is also skilled in the management of patients with pacemakers and covers the whole range of non–invasive cardiology including the diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary heart disease, valve problems, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, metabolic and endocrine disorders, and diabetes.

“One of the assignments for the new cardiologist is to build a very comprehensive cardiac clinic. I anticipate changes will be happening in logistics, infrastructure, the team of people working, protocols and services,” Mr. Tadros said.

The medical director wants to reduce the number of people who have to go off–island for care.

“This is our goal and it will happen. The number of patients sent overseas will significantly decrease. We will offer the ability of a well–experienced cardiologist. And, working in close partnership with contacts overseas in this digital age, a lot of things can be done electronically, so patients can be treated here,” he said.

Dr. Schultz

Dr. Tadros