Wednesday, February 28, 2001

SRMC opens catheterization lab

Southern Regional Medical Center (SRMC) has opened its second state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, bringing less delay for patients. The labs use a totally filmless system that offers less delay for physicians reading a cardiac catheterization. In labs that use film, patients have to first wait for the film to print and then for the doctor to examine it. Physicians at Southern Regional simply view the instantaneous information on a computer, allowing patients to get faster results. Southern Regional was the first hospital in Atlanta to go totally filmless. "We're really proud to have a lab that is so technically advanced, and our colleagues from around the world have come to see it," says cardiology department director Pam Tallman. General Electric Marquette is using the Southern Regional site as one of its models to visitors from all over the United States and Europe.

A cardiology subsection of SRMC's medical staff, headed by chairman, Barry R. Dix, M.D., travelled across the country to find the best cardiac catheterization apparatus. They investigated and evaluated several types of equipment before deciding on the current materials in the new lab.

"The time reduction that this new equipment provides will benefit both physicians and patients," says Dix.

The lab also provides an added advantage to patients requiring radiology services. If a person suffers from peripheral artery disease, cardiologists can perform the catheterization and also clear up any arterial blockages that the patient may have. Radiologists also use this room to decrease patient waiting time for radiology procedures.

Southern Regional Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern Regional Medical Center, a 410-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center and one of the busiest and best emergency departments in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services; Southern Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health services and home medical equipment and Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a multi-specialty surgery center in Morrow.