Jim Carlson/OSF Healthcare A look into the new catheterization lab at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group.

ESCANABA — OSF in Escanaba has a new, state-of-the-art cardiac lab.

OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group partnered with Bellin Health to bring a new cardiac catheterization lab which opened on July 9. Since its opening, staff have said it has been a great start.

“This new lab will benefit patients by increasing access to tests and other diagnostic care while reducing the need for travel and long wait periods for appointments. Additional treatment capabilities will be available after its first year of service,” according to the press release.

According to the OSF website, the new lab provides continuity of care by making tests and procedures more accessible while also reducing the need to travel or wait long periods of time for an appointment.

OSF Director of Cardiac Service, Curtis Schlehuber said this was a large endeavor, and one he’s proud to be a part of.

“The opening of the catheterization lab offers local patients the convenience of providing care locally, historically our neighbors and family members would have to travel to Green Bay or Marquette. We at OSF are proud to partner with Bellin to provide competitive and life changing cardiac technology to our patients while providing comfort and convenience that staying close to home offers our community,” Schlehuber said

Schlehuber explained the new lab’s capabilities in regard to cardiovascular tests and treatments.

“We are able to perform diagnostic heart catheterizations, peripheral procedures, including peripheral intervention, pacemakers and generator changes. Services already being able to be provided include cardioversion, transesphogeal echocardiograms and loop recorder implant and removals,” he said.

In the first year, the lab is limited to certain procedures. The state requires a year of diagnostic heart catheterization upon opening.

“This simply means that stenting within the heart is not something we are able to do year one,” he said.

While that may be cause for concern, Schlehuber says that roughly two thirds of the cases are diagnostic only for a variety of reasons.

“Peripheral interventions and pacemakers are allowed year one, and the correct providers and equipment are on hand to perform these procedures safely,” Schlehuber said.

The new lab has been up and running for over a week and Schlehuber said it’s been a great start.

“The collaborative efforts are proving to be highly successful and very promising for both our teams. There is much to highlight, among them are the impressive state of the art equipment, experienced staff, skilled cardiologists and a well trained cath lab staff,” he said.

He also said that feedback from the patients has also been very positive.

Schlehuber, born in St. Ignace, said that bringing this lab to the Upper Peninsula meant a lot to him as “the U.P. has always had a huge part of my heart.”

He added that working with Bellin physicians allowed him to give back to the place he always called home.

“I would just like to thank my neighbors in our community. This venture has been exceptionally well received as we promote cardiac care locally, and their excitement and trust in us at OSF means more than you know,” Schlehuber said.

To learn more about the new lab, visit osfhealthcare.org.