Cardiology Services

Diagnostic Services & Treatment | Follow-up Services

In an effort to provide quality care close to home, Mercy Medical Center offers a full complement of cardiology services for the benefit of Gateway area residents. Services are provided with the latest, high quality equipment along with skilled, caring staff members. The experienced cardiologists and internal medicine physicians on staff at Mercy are specialized in heart-related treatment. A wide variety of services is available including diagnostic procedures, inpatient nursing units, and follow-up care. Below is a brief listing of the available procedures and services:

Diagnostic Services & Treatment

Emergency Services
For urgent cardiac situations, the emergency department physicians and registered nurses conduct cardiac evaluations including history/physical examination, pain relief, ordering diagnostic procedures and, if appropriate, administration of thrombolytic drugs to combat blood clots. Staff members are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Cardiopulmonary
Specialized nursing staff and technicians are responsible for administering an array of non-invasive cardio-diagnostic in order to evaluate heart rate, rhythm, and circulation.

Nuclear Medicine
Staff members licensed in nuclear medicine perform procedures with the goal of obtaining images of the heart and its circulation. Essential equipment includes two world-class, state-of-the-art Siemens nuclear cameras.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab
Highly trained physicians and specialized nursing and radiological staff members operate the cardiac catheterization lab. The latest in diagnostic technology is available for patients. In addition are treatments for a variety of conditions including peripheral vascular circulatory problems, permanent pacemaker implantation, and visualization and treatment of venous access devices for dialysis patients.

Laboratory Services
Mercy's clinical laboratory provides highly trained professionals 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to perform nationally recognized diagnostic cardiac marker procedures.

Critical Care Unit (CCU) and Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
These nursing units provide expert care for cardiac inpatients. The nursing staff has many years of critical care experience with the average nurse working for at least 10 years. Both units are equipped with advanced technology. Staff members are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Follow-up Services

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab plays a very important role following a major cardiac event and focuses on emotional and physical assistance. This program helps to make lifestyle modifications in order to reduce risk factors associated with heart disease. A three-phase effort is used to help strengthen the heart and improve quality of life. Staff includes a cardiologist medical director, a registered nurse trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, a Master's degree-level exercise physiologist, physical therapist, and dieticians.

Cardiac Home Care
Mercy Home Care provides in-home follow-up treatment to patients recovering from cardiac conditions. Home care visits are conducted by skilled nurses with the goal of assessment and education in the home. The Tel-Assurance program, a telephone monitoring system, is also available for patients recovering from congestive heart failure.

Community Case Management
Through Mercy's continuum of care, registered nurses in case management work with physicians to keep patients well. Home visits focus on medication management, physical assessments, and other needed services. The Tel-Assurance program, a telephone monitoring system for patients recovering from congestive heart failure, is also available through community case management.

Healing Hearts Support Group
Healing Hearts is an educational support group for those who have heart disease or are recovering from surgery and anyone with a general interest in heart disease. The group provides an opportunity for patients and their families to learn about the heart, healthy lifestyles, and the latest research. Healing Hearts meets the second Monday of every other month.

Speakers
Mercy Medical Center has a wide variety of speakers available to give presentations on cardiology.

For more information on any of Mercy's cardiac services, please contact Mercy's Community Services Department at (563) 244-3539.