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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.”
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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.”
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Dr. Mark Henderson, Director
of Interventional Cardiology, states, “Direct
Angioplasty is the gold standard for treatment of
heart attacks. Certain patients are prone to complications
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”. |
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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”.
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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."
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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."
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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.
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“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.”
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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 building strong relationships.”
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“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.”
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