Rush's cath lab doubles capacity

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Sept. 19, 2002
Rush Foundation Hospital's catheterization lab has doubled in space and upgraded equipment in an expansion that cost more than $500,000. The hospital now has two cath labs instead of one and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment.
Andy Wright, a registered nurse who works in the lab, said the new X-ray and monitoring systems are more user-friendly and will save time.
Dr. Allen Duplantis, medical director of cardiovascular services at Rush, said the extra space doubles the department's capability.
Lab workers perform vascular and cardiovascular procedures to remove blockage in arteries. They can treat a person having a heart attack and often stop it, as well as perform elective procedures for people who are likely candidates for a heart attack.