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Saint Barnabas Completes $20 Million Construction of HEART HOSPITAL of New Jersey
The opening concludes an extensive renovation and new construction project that lasted more than a year and cost $20 million. Conceived as a “hospital within a hospital,” the new program offers the most advanced and comprehensive cardiac care in a comfortable, patient-focused facility. The new HEART HOSPITAL includes dedicated staff, equipment, and luxurious patient rooms and procedure areas designed, in part, by the patients, physicians, and nurses who will spend the most time there. “There is no doubt that the Saint Barnabas HEART HOSPITAL was designed as a model healing environment in which patients can receive the most advanced care in a comfortable and soothing atmosphere,” stated Gary J. Rogal, M.D., Chief of Cardiology for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. “Our physical space now matches our exceptional medical capabilities. We have spent the last year and a half building our program to offer the entire spectrum of cardiac care, from invasive and noninvasive diagnostic services to the complete array of treatment options, including angioplasty, cardiac electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation. It’s a pleasure to offer our patients the complete range of cardiac services right here in Livingston.” Located on the second floor of the Medical Center, The HEART HOSPITAL of New Jersey at Saint Barnabas Medical Center features a 45-bed telemetry unit that provides monitored, specialized care of cardiac patients; a 24-bed step-down unit for post-open heart patients and patients who will be having angioplasty; an eight-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit for post operative cardiac bypass and valve replacement patients; a welcoming reception area; comfortable family and patient lounges; a five-bed catheterization preparation and recovery suite; and an on-site rehabilitation gym. Two newly renovated cardiac operating rooms and a new, expanded catheterization suite that includes three catheterization laboratories are located on the first floor; just below the cardiac patient care area. A dedicated elevator brings patients directly from their procedure to their room. There is also a teleconferencing and case review room to enhance continued medical education. The cardiac admission center, which assists patients with non-emergency cardiac admissions, along with rehabilitation services and an on-site cardiac library are located in the East Wing of the Medical Center. A total of five cardiothoracic surgeons and one thoracic surgeon split their time between Saint Barnabas and Newark Beth Israel Medical Centers, relying on dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, and ancillary staff in both facilities. This cardiac team offers the most sophisticated technology and procedures, including off pump coronary artery bypass, also known as beating heart surgery. Beating heart surgery allows skilled surgeons to perform even the most complex coronary bypasses without the use of a heart-lung machine. This allows older or medically compromised patients to receive life-saving care without the risks posed by open-heart surgery and reduces the incidences of stroke and memory loss. Off pump surgery was brought to New Jersey by Craig R. Saunders, M.D., Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, and formerly of the world-renown Cleveland Clinic, who is now teaching the procedure to other cardiac surgeons throughout the world. “Our vision, to create a HEART HOSPITAL of New Jersey with the full array of services available at both Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Saint Barnabas Medical Center, is now a reality. We look forward to continuing to bring the latest breakthroughs in cardiac care to our patients,” he said. “We pride ourselves on achieving the highest standards, and look forward to providing the highest quality health care to the members of our community through our new facility.” Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in individuals age 65 and older in New Jersey, affecting some 34 million Americans nationwide. The Inner-City Cardiac Demonstration Project was approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services in 1998 with the intent of strengthening the already established cardiac services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center -- the first hospital in New Jersey to offer heart transplantation and the one of the first in the world to pioneer the use of the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). This mechanical support device is used to help an ailing heart muscle pump blood until a transplant can be performed. The HEART HOSPITAL of New Jersey, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, offers the most complete program of cardiac care available. For more information about The HEART HOSPITAL of New Jersey, please call 1 (888) 8-HEART-1. [ top ] |
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