A new project could lead to more accurate diagnosis for patients having chest pain.
J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital may have cut the ribbon yesterday on its updated emergency department, but the improvements aren’t complete.
One of the hospital’s operating suites is being converted to a heart catheterization laboratory. When the project is completed and patients come to the ER with chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, doctors will be able to check for a heart blockage, instead of transferring them to another hospital.
Jason Hawkins, President and CEO, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital said, “when folks show up here with chest pain, or are believed to have chest pain, we’ll be able to diagnose that a little more effectively.”
Hawkins said J.C. Blair doctors initially will only perform diagnostic procedures, but they’re expected to eventually to offer procedures, such as stenting.
J. C. Blair is partnering with the CardioVascular Institute at PinnacleHealth, its affiliate, to provide the new service.