Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Introduces New Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Medical advancements continue to grow as a new cardiac catheterization lab brings lifesaving care to the North and South Forks of Long Island. This September, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital became the only facility on the East End of Long Island to have the capability of providing clinically complex care to critically ill heart patients. Services offered include cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, stenting, intravascular ultrasound, and Impella®, a treatment that improves blood flow in heart failure patients.

“This cath lab brings extended care to a population who previously could not access potentially life-saving care within the recognized critical window of time and diagnostic services important for ongoing care,” noted Dr. Reuven Pasternak, Vice President for Health Systems for Stony Brook Medicine. “The lab also represents a major step in New York to recognize the need for alternative delivery systems for less populated areas whose residents need to have advanced levels of medical care that cannot be covered by telemedicine.” 

The new cath lab is located in the hospital’s Audrey and Martin Gruss Heart and Stroke Center. Dr. Travis Bench and his partner, Dr. Dhaval Patel, see patients at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Cardiology practices in Center Moriches and Southampton. They plan to continue expanding their practices in the region.

“The new Cardiac Program is the most dramatic example of exactly the sort of collaboration we hoped would happen when Southampton Hospital joined Stony Brook Medicine, as we bring the region’s top medical services closer to where people live,” said Robert Chaloner, Chief Administrative Officer for Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “This truly signals the beginning of a new era of healthcare for our East End communities.”

The catheterization lab at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital provides 24-hour support, seven days a week (24/7). Prior to the opening of the catheterization lab, the nearest treatment facility was Stony Brook University Hospital, up to 70 miles away and between a 60 to 90 minute drive for more North and South Fork residents.

“Faster access to the highest standard of cardiac care means more immediate, life-saving diagnosis and treatment for residents of the East End of Long Island,” noted Dr. Bench.

This catheterization lab in Southampton is essential because being able to diagnose and treat a blocked artery locally minimizes the potential for damage that could occur by driving up the island the Stony Brook University Hospital.

“For patients who need emergency catheterization, Stony Brook’s ‘Code H’ protocol has produced an average ‘door-to-perfusion’ time of 56 minutes, almost 45 minutes below the New York State regulated treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Javed Butler, Chief of Cardiology at Stony Brook University School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Stony Brook University Heart Institute. “That is the level of care we strive for at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. The systems and processes are in place and we look forward to taking care of our patients out east with that same dedication to quality and excellence.” 

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital has more than 280 staffed physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals representing 48 medical specialties. The hospital is a provisional Level III Adult Trauma Center and includes centers for heart and stroke, breast health, advance wound healing, maternity, and 32 satellite care centers throughout the South Fork of Long Island. It serves as the largest employer on the South Fork with more than 1,200 employees.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is located at 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton. For more information, call 631-726-8200 or visit heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.