University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center provides life-saving treatment after a heart attack faster than 90 percent of the nation’s hospitals

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The new $5.3 million expansion of University Hospitals Geauga Harrington Heart and Vascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, which was completed in February, means that more patients can be taken care of in a timelier manner. Pictured is Gregory Stefano, MD, an interventional cardiologist and director of the new center. (Photography: Benjamin Margalit)

By Beth Newcomb

Every second matters for a person who is being treated after a heart attack.

Fortunately for local residents, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center provides treatment faster than at least 90 percent of the nation’s hospitals, says Gregory Stefano, MD, an interventional cardiologist and director of University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute Diagnosis and Treatment Center at UH Geauga Medical Center.

“Door-to-balloon time is measured from the time a patient gets to the Emergency Room to the time a balloon is inserted to clear a blocked artery,” Dr. Stefano explains. “The national standard is 90 minutes. Our average is 45 minutes, which is well above the 90th percentile nationally. We’re not a large hospital, but we do some pretty amazing things.”

In fact, with the exception of open heart surgery, virtually any cardiac or vascular procedure can be done at UH Geauga Medical Center.

“From prevention of heart disease to recovery after treatment, we provide full-service quality care, conveniently close to home,” Dr. Stefano emphasizes.

And, now, the heart and vascular experts at UH Geauga Medical Center can take care of more patients in a timelier manner. That’s because of the hospital’s new $5.3 million expansion of its Harrington Heart and Vascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, which was completed in February.

Since 2007, the number of heart and vascular procedures at UH Geauga Medical Center has grown by 223 percent, and the center’s heart and vascular specialists now care for almost 2,000 patients per year.

“Our newly expanded Harrington Heart and Vascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center was designed and constructed in response to the growing need for these services in Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties,” Dr. Stefano says. “It positions UH Geauga Medical Center as a regional center for cardiovascular care with increased capacity for emergency and outpatient cardiac and vascular care.”

The expansion project included:

  • A second cath lab
  • A new dedicated vascular procedure room
  • A new clinic that connects to the cath labs and the vascular procedure room to enhance efficiencies and improve the patient experience
  • A new echocardiogram suite, bringing the total to four diagnostic cardiac rooms
  • Expansion of three diagnostic vascular suites
  • A new electrophysiology clinic for patients with heart rhythm problems, a congestive heart failure clinic and an onco-cardiology clinic for treatment of heart disease in cancer patients
  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Construction of a new, larger waiting room to provide a more pleasant, comfortable area for patients and families

“We have the capability to take care of some of the sickest patients in a timely manner with excellent outcomes,” Dr. Stefano says. “Our emergency heart attack program is one of the most important things we do. Our dedicated teams of nurses and physicians, and the collaboration with the local EMS teams, have been instrumental in saving many lives.”

UH Geauga Medical Center provides training for EMS teams and provides the technology that allows them to begin diagnosing and treating patients in the ambulance.

“Among the newer technologies is a LUCAS device, which provides mechanical CPR on a patient so the paramedics are free to do other things for a patient who has gone into cardiac arrest,” Dr. Stefano says.

To help prevent a heart attack, UH Geauga Medical Center offers free coronary calcium scans that can identify undiagnosed heart disease in people without symptoms by measuring the amount of calcium in the heart arteries.

“If you feel healthy, but have a family history of heart disease, the scan can put your mind at ease,” Dr. Stefano suggests. “On the other hand, some people might have early coronary disease and not know it. By diagnosing them, we can be sure they get the appropriate therapies to reduce their risk for heart disease.”

You can schedule a free coronary calcium scan by calling 888-613-9117. University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center is located at 13207 Ravenna Road, in Chardon. Or you can visit UHhospitals.org/heart to learn more.