Baptist Health Paducah has renovated cardiac catheterization labs with advanced technology
Each lab is now furnished with fluoroscopy equipment that allows for more precise measurement and diagnosis.
(Paducah, KY – April 21) – Since the first open-heart surgery in 1985, Baptist Health Paducah has been committed to leading heart care in the region and has recently renovated its cardiac catheterization labs that are now equipped with the most-up-to-date advanced technology.
In a dedication ceremony at the hospital Wednesday, the cath labs were renamed the Howerton Cath Labs in honor of Judge Bill Howerton and family, trustees of the Carson-Myre Charitable Trust Foundation.
Each lab is now furnished with fluoroscopy equipment that allows for more precise measurement and diagnosis. In addition, the cath labs offer advanced monitors, improved radiation safety for the patient and clinical staff, enhanced efficacy during the cath process and other additional features that assist with diagnosis and treatment.
The Carson-Myre Charitable Trust Foundation has been instrumental in the expansion of services and technology at Baptist Health Paducah for decades. The Howerton’s are excited to continue their support of Baptist Health Paducah and eager to put the hospital on the map. “We are going to do everything we can to make this hospital the best that there is,” said Judge William Howerton. Howerton compares Paducah’s small-town size with Rochester, Minnesota’s size in the 40’s and 50’s, before the Mayo Clinic was established in Rochester. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to do everything we can to equip and develop this hospital to look like Mayo Clinic right here in Paducah.”
In 2007, the $20 million, 79,000-square foot Carson-Myre Heart Center was opened and equipped with four traditional cardiac catheterization labs and one hybrid lab that are used to treat more than 3,000 patients a year for various cardiovascular needs, including the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), Watchman, electrophysiology (EP), vascular procedures and interventional radiology procedures.
Howerton’s son, Clay, echoed his comments. “We are very dedicated to the success of Baptist Health Paducah,” said Clay Howerton. “This is absolutely a world-class health organization. Nobody has better than what we have in Paducah in this heart center.”
Baptist Health Paducah provides comprehensive cardiovascular services including general cardiology, diagnostic testing, diagnostic and interventional cardiology, clinical research, electrophysiology, rehabilitation, vascular care, and open-heart surgery. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association are collaborating to offer U.S. hospitals like Baptist Health Paducah access to a comprehensive suite of co-branded cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including the cath lab.
“Our new labs allow for us to continue to advance our heart program by providing access to tools to improve diagnosis, refine patient experience, and optimize safety for patients and our medical team,” states Craig Beavers, Vice President of Operations.
The American College of Cardiology Accreditation Services has recognized Baptist Health Paducah, for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care, including diagnostic catheterizations and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. Baptist Health Paducah was awarded Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab. Baptist Health Paducah is the first and only hospital in the region to carry this honor.
In addition, for the third year in a row Baptist Health Paducah has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology as HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence Designation for 2023. The hospital was first recognized for this award in 2021 and is only one of four hospitals in Kentucky and the only hospital in the region with this distinction.
To learn more about the newly renovated cath labs or to become involved in the ongoing advancement of our cardiac services, contact the Baptist Health Foundation Paducah at 270.575.2849.