New cardiovascular suite
Adventist Health St. Helena continues to make progress on its new cardiovascular suite, which includes a hybrid operating room, one of only a handful of similar hybrid suites in the region. The project, which began in November 2019, is scheduled to be completed in early 2022. The state-of-the-art suite will be equipped with advanced medical imaging technology and will have the capability to perform both minimally invasive catheterization procedures and traditional surgery.
This image guidance allows physicians to evaluate, intervene and assess the results of minimally
invasive procedures, more complex procedures and open surgical cases. The next phase of construction takes place Thursday through Monday as a crane is used to install trusses that provide additional structural support and conduit for electrical and HVAC infrastructure.
Installing the trusses will involve using a 550ton crane to lift them to the second-floor suite. For safety reasons, some medical center campus areas and parking will be closed during this construction. The main hospital will remain fully functional. The Medical Office Building and Deer Park Pharmacy will be open during normal business hours.
Hospital leaders do request that patients and visitors limit their access to the facility for medical reasons only. Directional signage and traffic control will be in place to guide patients and visitors.
“This is an exciting time in the history of Adventist Health St. Helena and the upcoming construction brings the cardiovascular suite one step closer to reality,” said Steven Herber, MD, president of Adventist Health St. Helena. “This expansion is indicative of our promise to deliver nationally recognized heart and vascular care to our community.”
“With this addition, we will be able to provide patients with the lifesaving flexibility that hybrid operating rooms offer,” said Monica Divakaruni, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director for cardiology at Adventist Health St. Helena. “This new suite gives patients access to the very best technology available and will allow us to offer life-saving treatments right here in the valley. We are excited to be fully utilizing the space in less than a year!”
The new cardiovascular suite was made possible by the St. Helena Hospital Foundation’s efforts and its generous donors.
“The St. Helena Hospital Foundation is honored to partner with Adventist Health St. Helena to introduce this state-of- theart cardiovascular technology. It is always a privilege to support the exceptional physicians and surgeons who care for our community,” commented Glen Newhart, president and CEO of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation.