BronxCare Health System

Cardiac Catheterization Area and ER Expansion Completed

Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology, reviewing patient information with Windinmi Ouedraogo, Technician, in new reading room.
Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology, reviewing patient information with Windinmi Ouedraogo, Technician, in new reading room.

In 2015, BronxCare Health System completed a Cardiac Catheterization Suite and new Electrophysiology Laboratory, as well as major ER expansion.

New Cardiac Catheterization Area

The Cardiac Catheterization Suite and Electrophysiology Laboratory project, which was completed in the fall of 2015, has significantly expanded capacity from 850 to 3,700 square feet. It is a most important addition to BronxCare Health System’s Division of Cardiology, which, in 2014, provided 22,000 patient visits, 11,000 echocardiograms, and 3,500 stress tests.

“Our inpatient and outpatient services are effectively responding to the high incidence of coronary disease in the community, with an emphasis on helping patients understand and reduce their risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.”

Dr. Jonathan Bella, Chief, Division of Cardiology

Services are directed at managing coronary heart disease and treating heart attacks, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms, among other problems. “The Cardiac Catheterization Suite and Electrophysiology Laboratory are enhancing the staff’s ability to identify and diagnose heart problems at an earlier stage, an essential part of effective and successful patient treatment,” stated Dr. Nassim Krim, Attending, Cardiology.

Dr. John Coffey, Chairman, Emergency Medicine (right), and Dr. Robert Favelukes, Attending, Emergency Medicine in expanded ER area.

ER Expansion

BronxCare Health System’s Emergency Department continues to experience high patient volume, as well as significant increases in the severity of illness treated, including more patients presenting with advanced stages of complicated conditions, such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, asthma, sepsis, and diabetes. These patients often require extensive medical attention, transfer to the OR for surgical intervention, or admission. Frequently, such patients need continuing medical attention and follow-up in the hospital’s Intensive Care Units or close monitoring and observation.

Partial View of new 11 Stretcher Bay area.
Partial View of new 11 Stretcher Bay area.

A major ER expansion, which was completed in the summer of 2015, is providing the needed capacity for responding to the high demand from critically and seriously ill patients. The expansion includes a new patient care area, with eleven stretcher bays, two treatment rooms, and new work stations.

“Our expert and experienced team is helping patients and their families overcome all types of emergencies by using high-tech equipment to monitor, track, and evaluate their condition, prior to making the decision to admit, discharge, or extend the observation period.”

Dr. John Coffey, Chairman, Emergency Medicine

Currently, BronxCare Health System’s ER provides 139,000 visits annually, among the busiest for a hospital in New York. It includes separate adult and pediatric ERs, as well as a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program.