They are two of the nearly 400 patients treated in the "cath lab" since it opened in October 2003, at The Westerly Hospital, and though their cases are vastly different, they had similar experiences once they arrived.

Marilyn, of Westerly, had some time to think about the procedure.

Jane, formerly of Westerly and now of Plainfield, CT, did not. She drove herself to the Emergency Department thinking she was suffering from acid reflux. She learned she was having a heart attack and an emergency cardiac cath was ordered.

During a diagnostic catheterization, a dye is injected into the heart and the arteries surrounding the heart. Cardiologists can then observe the flow of blood through the coronary arteries and the valves and chambers of the heart.

In Jane's case, the cath indicated she needed a quadruple bypass. She was transported immediately to Yale New Haven Hospital Heart Center for the procedure.

"My recovery went so well because they acted so fast," she said. "Since then I've moved to Plainfield, but I kept my relationship with Westerly Hospital," she said. "I know I'm going to get good care."

Marilyn, of the Dunn's Corners section of Westerly, was an established cardiac patient and had previously undergone a cardiac catheterization at another hospital before our cath lab opened.

As a resident of Westerly, she found her second procedure much less stressful because it was closer to home.

"It was very convenient having it in Westerly," she said. "The last time I had to go to Warwick and we had to leave at 5 a.m. This one was scheduled for 7:30 in the morning and I stayed until about 1:30. The last time it was a much longer day for us."

"I thought maybe I should go to a bigger hospital, but Dr. Haronian (Cardiologist Howard Haronian of Westerly) reassured me about the staff and the facility so I agreed and the staff was just excellent."
As a former nurse, Marilyn's compliments don't come lightly.

"I was looking around and watching everything they were doing because I'm a retired nurse so I know what to look for," she said. "They were so professional and so friendly, and they just seemed so competent."

"They" are Mary Slattery, RN, BSN, Manager of the Cath Lab; Gil Fagnant, cardiovascular technologist; Barbara Lee, RN; Colleen Planchon, RN; Claudia Rayner, RN, and Emily Yorke, Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist.

Cardiologists perform the procedure, but the staff educates the patients in advance, prepares them on the day of the procedure, and contacts them by phone afterward in case they have questions.

In most cases patients receive just a local anesthetic during the procedure, thus allowing them to observe the process.

Jane also was impressed by the professionalism of the staff.

"They were very good about showing me pictures of my heart and what they found, and they explained things very well. And the follow-up call was very reassuring," she said.

Despite her relocation from Westerly, Jane continues to receive her healthcare from Westerly physicians and The Westerly Hospital.

"I have all these nice doctors - why would I want to change it. I really do think The Westerly Hospital is wonderful," she said. "I've always been treated well and I have nothing but great things to say about it."

Community Education Calendar

April 5 - Allergies, Asthma and Advancements in Treatment: Dr. Bruce Berlow of Shoreline Allergy & Asthma Associates, Mystic, will discuss the causes of airway inflammation and recent advances in treating allergies and asthma.

April 13 - Scientific Advances in Skin Care: Dr. Daniella Duke, a nationally recognized expert in skin lasers and a graduate of Harvard Medical School, will discuss the newest products and treatments for improving the health of your skin.

April 23 - Stop Smoking! (4-session program): This 4-week program is led by a former smoker who knows the challenges, the gimmicks and what works. Small group setting. Early registration encouraged. Saturdays, April 23, 30, May 7, 14; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $50 fee.

David Tranchida is the Manager of Public Relations and Marketing for The Westerly Hospital.