Construction to begin on $3M cardiac cath lab at Windsor Regional Hospital this summer
Windsor Regional Hospital’s new cardiac catheterization lab could be open in the next 18 to 24 months.
The announcement was made during a visit to the hospital's Ouellette Campus by Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
In Jan. 2023, Jones visited the Ouellette Campus with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to announce approximately $30 million in funding to support the renovation and expansion of WRH’s cardiac catheterization lab.
During Monday's announcement, Jones said the tender for the project has been approved, allowing for the construction of more than 17,000 square feet of space for a "new and modernized" catheterization lab suite to begin this summer.
"Windsor Regional Hospital is one of Ontario's 20 regional cardiac care centres and this expansion will connect more people in southwestern Ontario to life-saving cardiac care, closer to home," said Jones.
According to the province, the larger space and 24-hour service will allow Windsor Regional Hospital to complete more vital cardiac procedures.
The renovation will also include the addition of a second catheterization which, according to the hospital, will reduce wait times for both urgent and elective procedures.
Karen Riddell, interim CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, said the doors of the new cath lab will open "in the next 18 to 24 months."
"We won't have any downtime. Our current lab will be running throughout the construction project," said Riddell.
Dr. Ali Bagherli, medical director for the catheterization lab, said cardiovascular disease is very common in this region. The lab sees about 2,700 patients per year who show more than 300 cases of STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction).
"STEMI are basically patients who present the most serious form of heart attack requiring urgent intervention," said Bagherli.
The Ouellette campus currently has one cath lab in its basement. According to Bagherli, it has been forced to halt operations on occasion due to flooding or technical issues.
"We've had many shutdowns unfortunately and our patients had to be transferred to Detroit to receive a life-saving procedure," said Bagherli.
The current lab will continue to operate during the construction of the new facility.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
'It’s pretty emotional': N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on Nov. 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.