St. Joseph’s Hospital-North Opens Third Cardiac Procedure Lab, Expands Cardiovascular Services

New Interventional Services Lab Now Performs Electrophysiology

LUTZ, Fla., July 27, 2017 — St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has opened a third, 860-square-foot interventional services lab, simultaneously expanding its cardiovascular services to now include electrophysiology. Today, the first cardiac rhythm procedure in the new lab was completed by Electrophysiologist Dr. Kevin Makati.

The addition represents a $2.5 million expansion dedicated to providing the latest technology in cardiac care. The state-of-the-art lab includes real-time radiation management software—for patient, physician and staff safety—and the latest 3D precision imaging software to navigate the heart with accuracy.

In addition to electrophysiology—the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders—the three-lab cardiac unit performs cardiac catheterization and interventional cardiac procedures. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North also launched its ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) program in 2015, allowing it to treat one of the most deadly types of heart attacks. The optimal treatment method is a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to open the artery within 90 minutes of first receiving care from emergency medical personnel. Time translates into muscle loss, so this third lab will greatly reduce the chance of delay in treatment.

“We are proud to offer a robust cardiac program that now includes electrophysiology,” explained Paula McGuiness, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. “This new lab will help us meet the population growth and high demand for cardiac services of our community, at a location close to home for our patients.”

The procedure performed today was an ablation to treat electrical disorders of the heart. Radiofrequency energy (heat) is applied to the pathway connecting the upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart through a catheter. This destroys a small area of tissue, preventing the muscle from sending faulty electrical impulses to the ventricles.

About St. Joseph’s Hospital-North
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North opened in February 2010 to bring high-quality health care services to North Tampa in an environment designed to help patients heal.  Part of BayCare Health System, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North features all private patient suites and offers emergency care, surgical services, GI endoscopy, imaging, intensive care, obstetrics, cardiac catheterization, interventional radiology and more in a peaceful, relaxing and family-centered environment. Located just north of Tampa in Lutz, the all-digital, state-of-the-art facility is specially designed to make patients and visitors as comfortable as possible during their hospital experience.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.

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