February is National Heart Month, so what better time to remind other Pennsylvanians about legislative changes that effected how and where we can receive heart and vascular care.
In spring of last year, the term ‘Ambulatory Surgical Center’ took on a whole new level of importance in our state. Much needed amendments to the Health Care Facilities Act passed in May of 2022 that allowed ambulatory surgical centers, or ASCs, to provide expanded procedures for those needing cardiac and vascular interventions.
These changes resulted in enhanced flexibility and convenience for the patient with the same standard of safety. Patients can choose where their procedures take place. No longer are hospitals the only solution.
The Surgical Center of Cardiovascular Experts is a licensed ASC. We provide some of the most cutting edge technologies in the world that are unrivaled in the region – even in hospitals – providing innovative care for heart and artery stent procedures and microvascular limb salvage/amputation prevention procedures, such as those associated with Peripheral Artery Disease.
Our center also performed the very first Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in an ambulatory surgical center in the state. It was a big day for me. My dream of providing the highest level of patient care became a reality. We made history.
My 21+ year career has been about providing the best in care for my patients, which includes educating them about their choices. Take time to learn more about ambulatory surgical centers, and if you have questions shoot us a quick email. We’re happy to help you navigate the complexities of healthcare.
For more information about Percutaneous Coronary Interventions performed in a surgical center instead of a hospital, take a glance at the expert consensus statement published last month. There’s a lot of clinical information discussed, but the summary concludes that PCI in centers is as safe as PCI in hospitals when an experienced team is leading the charge.
I hope I’ve given you something to think about. Happy Heart Month!
From my heart to yours,
Rajesh Davé, MD, FACC, FSCAI
President and CEO
Cardiovascular Experts of Central PA
Advanced Limb Salvage Center
Surgical Center of Cardiovascular Experts