Roaring Spring, PA (January 14, 2019) – Conemaugh Nason Medical Center ceremoniously cut the ribbon on a new cardiovascular catheterization (cath) lab in the presence of physicians, employees, government officials and community members today. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the public was invited to tour the new 2,400 square-foot lab, located just off the main entrance of the hospital. The hospital expects to begin treating patients in the new facility on January 15.
As its name suggests, the new laboratory will be primarily used to perform cardiac catheterization procedures on patients who need advanced heart care. Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. A tiny tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel so that imaging dyes and small equipment can be passed through. Catheterization enables healthcare providers to examine the heart and blood vessels, and is used to look for blockages in arteries, check heart valve function, measure blood flow and even place stents in arteries when they are narrow or blocked. In a medical emergency, catheterization procedures allow physicians to quickly diagnose heart problems and provide life-saving treatments. Vascular studies of other areas, such as a patient’s legs, can also be done in the cath lab.
“Opening this new cath lab means that members of our community do not have to travel to other facilities to receive comprehensive cardiac care when they need it most,” says Tim Harclerode, chief executive officer of Conemaugh Nason Medical Center. “Every minute counts when a patient has a heart attack, and now, procedures that might have been performed at hospitals farther away can be done right here in Roaring Spring. We are pleased to be able to keep high quality cardiovascular care close to home for those we serve.”
Dr. Medhat Zaher will serve as Medical Director, and physicians from Cardiology Associates of Altoona and Central PA Physicians Group will treat patients in the lab. Additionally, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center has added eight full-time employees to staff the facility, including registered nurses and cath lab technicians.
The total cost of the project was $3.1 million for construction and equipment, which was made possible by a capital investment from LifePoint Health.
“LifePoint’s investment at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center reflects our commitment to providing better cardiac care and enhanced access for the people of this region,” said Jamie Carter, president of LifePoint Health’s Eastern Division, of which Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is a part. “We are pleased to take the next step in advancing our mission of Making Communities Healthier by opening this new cath lab and look forward to further improving the health of Roaring Spring and surrounding areas.”
Conemaugh Nason Medical Center is located at 105 Nason Drive, Roaring Spring, PA 16673. To learn more, visit www.Conemaugh.org/Nason or call 814.224.2141.
About Conemaugh Nason Medical Center
Caring for the community since 1900, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center prides itself on providing safe, high quality, compassionate care. A part of the Roaring Spring community, Conemaugh Nason, a LifePoint Health® hospital, is committed to promoting the health and well-being of central Pennsylvania residents in Blair, Bedford and Huntingdon counties. Conemaugh Nason is also a member of the Conemaugh Health System, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare system, and the largest healthcare provider in west central Pennsylvania. Conemaugh Health System serves more than a half-million patients each year through the Nason Physician Group, Conemaugh Physician Group and Medical Staff, a network of four hospitals, specialty clinics and patient-focused programs. For more information on Conemaugh Nason, visit us at www.conemaugh.org/nason or follow us on Facebook.
About Conemaugh Health System
Conemaugh Health System, a member of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, is the largest healthcare provider in west central Pennsylvania, serving over a half-million patients each year through the Conemaugh Physician Group and Medical Staff, a network of hospitals, specialty clinics and patient focused programs. Conemaugh’s 3,500+ employees and 350+ physicians are committed to excellence and repeatedly earn state and national recognition for exceptional clinical outcomes. Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, the system’s flagship hospital, provides sophisticated technology, the highest levels of trauma and neonatal intensive care and a committed history of training tomorrow’s physician, nurses and allied health providers. For more information on Conemaugh, visit us at www.conemaugh.org or follow us on Facebook.
