Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... HEALTH CARE Asante expands cardiac center $4 million project will consolidate services at south lobby Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is embarking on a $4 million cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center. Much of the hospital's heart patient activity will be consolidated in the 6,000-square-foot center surrounding the south lobby and a former restaurant area. Demolition work will begin Dec. 1, followed by construction in January. Anticipated completion date is April 10. "We are losing some lobby space, but we're also using space that has been dormant since we closed the restaurant down in late 2008," said Frank Faust, vice president of strategy and business development. "Whenever you can find ways to re-purpose existing space, it's certainly a great thing. It's prime real estate and this is a more optimal use." Faust said planning for the project began two years ago. The south lobby entrance, off of Barnett Road, will be closed for the next three to four weeks. After demolition is completed, a construction tunnel will be erected, allowing access through the south lobby to other areas. Beth Coker, who oversees the cardiac rehabilitation department, said space limitations have capped capacity at 32 patients daily. "We have more patients who are waiting," Coker said. “Once the new center is open, we’ll be able to see at least 55 to 60 patients a day." Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program, including exercise and education, for patients who suffered heart failure or a heart attack or had heart surgery. At present, cardiac rehabilitation and cardiopulmonary diagnostics are located in separate areas. “Bringing together these two services into one centralized area, and adding pulmonary rehabilitation, will improve our patients’ access to care," Coker said. The cardiac rehabilitation unit on the east side of the south lobby will nearly triple in size, to 2,500 square feet from 900 square feet. It will be outfitted with a battery of stationary bicycles, treadmills and other exercise equipment. On the opposite side of the lobby, cardiopulmonary diagnostic services will move into a 2,000-square-foot area. The existing cardiac rehabilitation area will be renovated into office and conference space. Separately from the remodel, Asante will upgrade its imaging equipment as well, adding a Siemens Skyra 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner in the old cardiopulmonary space. The new scanner will double the magnetic field capability of the old one. The region's most advanced MRI device will provide high-end neurological and vascular imaging when minute details are especially crucial to diagnosis, said Imaging Services Director Stephen Weymouth. The Skyra’s 28-by-69-inch bore magnet and silent scanning option is designed to reduce patient anxiety. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge.   By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501