Heart patients experiencing delays at the cardiac catheterization lab

Several heart patients have recently contacted the Official Opposition expressing their concerns related to the delays they are experiencing at the cardiac catheterization (cath) lab at the Health Sciences Centre, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

The cardiac cath lab is used to diagnose heart conditions such as blockages which can lead to or cause heart attacks in patients. The usual procedure involves a dye being injected into a patient’s body to determine whether blockages are present and to what extent they exist.

“Heart patients are contacting our office expressing their concern that they are waiting weeks in hospital beds to receive a dye test at the cardiac cath lab,” said Ms. Jones. “The cost of these delays to our health care is significant as patients are forced to stay longer periods in hospital. Once blockages are detected, the use of angioplasty and stints are possible and patients could be released from hospital shortly thereafter.

“Delaying these diagnostic procedures is not only costing significant amounts of money, but it adds stress to patients who are looking for information on their heart condition. It is certainly unacceptable for people to wait up to five weeks in hospitals throughout this province to be transported to St. John’s for these tests.”

Jones is challenging both government and Eastern Health to investigate why these delays are occurring and explain why no immediate solution has been put in place to deal with the situation. She is also questioning whether these delays are contributing to reported delays in open heart surgeries.