Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) is the first hospital in the area to offer cardiac catheterization labs with advanced 3-D imaging technology.

“This technology will give doctors a greater ability to diagnose blockages,” said Art Smith, director of cardiology services. “It provides clearer images, so doctors can better define the size and length of blockage in the artery.”

In addition to the two new catheterization labs, the $4.5 million project also includes a technology upgrade and remodeling of existing labs. This investment into the community reinforces SAMC’s commitment to lead the region in cardiology services.

The first cardiac catheterizations in the new labs were performed by cardiologists Darius Aliabadi and Thomas Young. Smith also says the expansion will allow SAMC to treat an additional 15 -17 patients each day.

The new cardiac catheterization labs are the first phase of a multimillion dollar expansion of SAMC’s cardiovascular services. It will include construction, renovation and relocating of the SAMC’s vascular testing and other cardiovascular support functions.

This expansion includes the creation of a dedicated outside entrance, or “front door” to heart and vascular services. The project will increase capacity for post procedure recovery care and observation. SAMC will also add space for family waiting; consult rooms and non-invasive heart and vascular testing. Additional area for heart and vascular services support functions will be created during the expansion. SAMC’s number of licensed beds will not change as a result of this project.

“Everything we do here at SAMC is for our patients,” says SAMC CEO Ron Owen. “In August 2009 we added three interventional cardiologists to our medical staff and in the summer of 2010 we plan to add two more vascular surgeons and one cardiovascular surgeon.”

Owen says that since the cardiologists arrived, SAMC has seen a 17 percent increase in monthly cardiac catheterization volume. He expects that percentage to increase as those doctors’ medical practices mature. Likewise, Owen expects substantial increases in peripheral vascular diagnostic and therapeutic interventions with the arrival of the three surgeons next year.

 

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