TBRHSC Second Cardiac Catheterization Lab Complete
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The grand opening of a second Catheterization Laboratory at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has ushered in a new era of Cardiac Services at TBRHSC. Already having a huge impact on patient care, this new lab enhances what Cardiology Teams can accomplish in treating a greater number of patients in a shorter period of time. Fewer patients
have to wait in line for care. That means more patient beds are available for other acute care patients.
Angèle Brunelle is the Chair of the TBRHSC Board of Directors. “The significance of this celebration is literally life-changing”, she said. “I know that lives have been saved, and cherished friends and family members have returned home to renew their hopes and dreams. There are a lot of champions behind the scenes that make this possible. I pay tribute to them all.”
Since the TBRHSC Angioplasty Service was introduced a couple of years ago, over 1500 patients have received treatment in the single, available room. “The good news”, says Dr. Frank Nigro, Chief of the Cardiology Department, “with two suites being utilized, the waiting
time for patients to receive an Angioplasty is much shorter. Besides, we are now far more capable of handling the emergency cases that we know will arrive at the site. Time matters. That is why we are so grateful to a lot of people who made this happen. We see the look on
the faces of patients and families as they leave. It is profound, actually. Without a word, I see these people making a deeply moving statement of thanksgiving. For all of us, this is a highly rewarding environment to work in.”
Dr. Mark Henderson, Director of Interventional Cardiology, states, “Direct Angioplasty is the gold standard for treatment of heart attacks. Certain patients are prone to complicatins related to
“clot-busting” drugs. With the opening of the second Laboratory at TBRHSC, direct Angioplasty Services will be available to patients on a 24/7 basis as of October 1, 2011”.
Andrée Robichaud is the President and CEO of TBRHSC. She says “a lot of patients and families have been anxiously waiting for this new lab to be completed. And, to think the construction project took place right beside the existing lab. Steel had to be erected, floors put in place, walls put up, equipment installed and finishing details applied. All of this while patients received treatment within a few feet in the next room. It is a great achievement by everyone not to have to interrupt service. Now look at what we have to offer. It is truly world-class. Our Cardiology Services have come a long way in a short period of time. We are achieving our corporate Vision for the distinct purpose of being “Healthy Together”.
James Forbes recently received life-saving Angioplasty at TBRHSC. “I have heard about people’s lives being changed in a ‘heart-beat’ but I didn’t think that I would ever be part of the story. However, here I am, talking to you. How can words express my gratitude? How can my
family say thank you? Having the doctors and the teams of healthcare workers so close at my time of need was tremendously comforting. They literally saved my life. It is priceless."
Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan, states: "I am very proud of what we continue to accomplish at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for the people of Northwestern Ontario. The establishment of a second Angioplasty Suite will further enhance our ability to meet patient demand, save lives, and help us continue to evolve as a comprehensive medical centre."
Approximately $5 million has been donated to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation in support of expanded cardiac care. At today’s celebration, it was announced that the second Cardiac Catheterization Lab is named ‘The J. Armand Bombardier Foundation
Cardiac Catheterization Lab’ in honour of their $500,000 contribution
towards the project.
“Some believed Angioplasty would never be available here in Northwestern Ontario. Others made sure it was,” said Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation. “On behalf of the thousands of patients who will directly benefit, and the countless family members who will feel the advantages of close-to-home Cardiac Care, I thank the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation and all of the generous individual and corporate donors who helped turn the vision of world-class cardiac care in our community into a reality.”
David Dembski, Bombardier Vice President, shared that, “Bombardier is committed to building stronger communities. Knowing that considerable savings are being realized through the Northern Travel Grant Program, this ‘closer to home’ service will pay for itself repeatedly. As a
responsible corporate citizen, Bombardier is proud to be a partner in “It’s an exciting time for residents here in the Thunder Bay region, with the opening of the newly expanded Angioplasty Centre”, said Peter Robertson, VP and General Manager, GE Healthcare Canada. “GE Healthcare is proud to be alongside the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre to make
this centre a reality. I’m pleased to note that TBRHSC is the first site in the country to be receiving our new patient monitoring solution, CARESCAPE B650, which brings detailed patient data to a touch screen – a solution with clinicians in mind. This reflects our commitment to bring new health innovations to Canada to support better health for more people.”
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recently opened a second cardiac catheterization lab. The large project addition was completed by Tom Jones Corporation of Thunder Bay. The total cost of the project exceeded $10 million with a large amount of the funds provided by the Ontario government.The lab was named the J. Armand Bombardier Cathaterization Lab with their $500,000 donation to the project. The remaining funds were
provided by fundraising and other donations from corporations and individuals.
An angioplasty is used in patients who have a build up of plaque in their arteries. The procedure involves inserting a small tube to the blockage and expanded to clear the area.
The project will save the province travel costs of sending patients to other larger centre for the treatment.
“ The project consisted of infilling an existing 3 story light-well centrally located in the existing hospital structure. The infill comprised of adding floors at each level with a new mechanical
penthouse on the roof. The ground level is a staff lounge, the second floor is expansion space for diagnostic imaging , the third floor is a new cardiac cath lab, and the roof (fourth floor) is a new penthouse complete with UPS room and 3 new air handling units. The project
further encompassed a two story structure that was added on the south wing of Hospital Block 'C'. This addition is used for a short stay recovery for cath lab patients.”
Parker Jones Estimator/ Project Manager- Tom Jones Corporation
