First phase of The Walter and Maria Schroeder BRAIN&HEART Centre renovations brings a new catheterization lab to St. Michael’s Hospital
By Selma Al-Samarrai
The brand new Catheterization Lab 3 inside St. Michael’s Hospital is opening to patients soon. Click/tap to see larger version of this image.
The first phase of renovations to The Walter and Maria Schroeder BRAIN&HEART Centre has come to completion with the upcoming opening of the brand new Catheterization Lab 3 inside St. Michael’s Hospital.
“Our teams have worked with incredible dedication and effort to turn this vision into a reality and we’re thrilled to begin using such an exceptional new space. The capacity of this catheterization lab is unparalleled and will enable us to make use of state-of-the-art equipment to care for our patients,” says Kim Boswell, Clinical Leader Manager of the Cardiac Catheterization Labs and Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at St. Michael’s.
The new catheterization lab, where diagnostic imaging procedures take place to diagnose and treat cardiac issues, is now the largest of its kind inside St. Michael’s, expanding by almost a third of its previous size.
The new robotic c-arm will set new benchmarks for precision during diagnostic imaging procedures. Click/tap to see larger version of this image.
The new lab will offer the newest state-of-the-art medical and imaging equipment, including a new robotic C-arm, which will set new benchmarks for precision during various diagnostic imaging procedures. This mobile arm brings the same imaging power and laser-guided precision as traditional X-rays but can be easily moved around the patient and then set aside by the staff.
The design of the new catheterization lab incorporated lots of staff and physician feedback in order to improve work flow, staff safety and delivery of patient care.
“The generosity of Walter and Maria Schroeder has made a remarkable impact for the BRAIN&HEART Centre, which in turn advances our teams’ ability to provide exceptional care. We are all very grateful for this opportunity to grow our program and care for our patients,” said Boswell.
This expanded catheterization lab will provide increased capacity for cardiac procedures – focusing on minimally invasive structural heart care at St. Michael’s, and this is only the beginning. The multi-phased renovations at the centre also include a brand new Structural Heart Clinic and renovations of the echocardiogram lab, three other catheterization labs and a corresponding recovery room.
On the “brain” side, St. Michael’s is receiving two brand new neuro interventional bi-plane suites, which enable image-guided and minimally-invasive procedures that repair multiple neurological conditions.
The realization of the new vision of The Walter and Maria Schroeder BRAIN&HEART Centre was made possible by many generous donors including Walter and Maria Schroeder, Tim and Frances Price and the WB Family Foundation. The P. & L. Odette Charitable Foundation has also provided generous donations to advance the centre’s research and advanced analytics.
About St. Michael’s Hospital
St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 27 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
About Unity Health Toronto
Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. For more information, visit www.unityhealth.to.