York Hospital invests $6.4M to upgrade cardiac cath lab — one of only four in Maine

By Laurie Schreiber for Mainebiz

York Hospital completed a $6.4 million upgrade of its cardiac catheterization laboratory that’s projected to increase patient capacity by 10% to 15%.

The Petrovich Peterson Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory is considered critical because York Hospital is one of only four hospitals in Maine that performs percutaneous coronary interventions, more commonly known as coronary artery ballooning and stenting.

“The advanced technology in our new lab provides incredibly sharp imaging, which is essential for precise diagnostics and interventions,” said Dr. Patrick Taylor, the hospital’s president. 

Expansion and redesign of the lab is expected to reduce wait times, elevate the level of care and help attract and retain medical staff.

The project was funded by the hospital’s capital campaign called Leading with Heart, which raised more than $6 million toward the $6.4 million target. The project is seeking additional support to meet the goal, Hilary Grace Leonhard, a manager with the hospital’s office of philanthropy, told Mainebiz.

For more information, click here.

In addition to the York location, the hospital has sites in Berwick, Kittery, Long Sands, Sanford, South Berwick, Wells, as well as Portsmouth, N.H.

Renovation

The project entailed taking down the previous cardiac catheterization lab and support area to the concrete foundation and supporting walls, and then modernizing, Leonhard said.

Key elements included:

• Improved cardiac catheterization technology, equipment and capabilities,
• Redesign of clinical facility, including new pre- and post-patient recovery areas. 
• New employees support areas.
• Improved electrical, HVAC and emergency power capacity.
• Specially designed patient and family accommodation.

The new equipment included new imaging, monitoring and assessment systems; and an information technology platform that provides information management, imaging, archiving, communication and remote viewing capabilities.

Collectively, the technologies allow providers to perform a wide range of routine and complex procedures, said Leonhard.

Additional benefits include seamless tableside control, high-quality, low-dose X-ray imaging and simplified 3D visualization and measurements. Specific tools and workflows can be established for multiple clinical specialties to work in one room.

The project created space for a centralized nursing station and three separate pre- and post-procedure holding bays for patients with a centralized staff viewing station.

The amount of radiation received by a patient is decreased markedly with the new equipment, and was a key consideration in the decision to upgrade, said Leonhard.

Advanced imaging technology also allows for more detailed visualization of the heart and blood vessels.

Partners Bank donated $15,000 to the campaign. 

“Prioritizing heart health is in the best interest of everyone in the community,” said Blaine Boudreau, the bank’s president and CEO.