Access Magazine Online Winter 2018

« Return to Access Winter 2018

Emergency Cardiac Program: 32 Lives Impacted

You've heard it time and time again: If you're having a heart attack, every second counts.

The sooner you get to a hospital that can provide emergency treatments, such as angioplasty and stenting, the more likely that doctors can save your heart—and your life.

That's why our new 24/7 emergency interventional cardiology program is such a big deal.

As of last spring, residents of Saratoga County can be taken directly to Saratoga Hospital for emergency cardiac procedures. On average, heart attack patients are shaving 40 minutes off the time it takes to start lifesaving cardiac treatment.

For 32 patients treated by our interventional cardiology team, that 40 minutes made a difference.

The new cardiology program is perhaps the most striking example of what our affiliation with Albany Med means to our community.

Saratoga Hospital began offering interventional cardiac care in 2014 for patients—for scheduled procedures only. With support from Albany Med, we were able to ramp up that program and offer our community a critical new service.

Together, we recruited a medical director for the program, and Albany Med helped train the 24/7 team that makes this service possible.

Our affiliation also offers an added assurance for Saratoga Hospital patients who may need the higher level of care that only an academic medical center can provide. They now benefit from easier access and a seamless transition from Saratoga Hospital to Albany Med.

Learn more: