Hines VA Hospital holds grand opening for Pacemaker Clinic
HINES, Ill. - With the slice of a ribbon, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital's new pacemaker clinic officially opened its doors to veterans on April 16.
Construction began last June and concluded a month ago. At 2,655 square feet, the clinic's new home in Building 200 is nearly twice the size of the hospital's former pacemaker clinic.
The increased space has nine exam rooms and two EKG stations, previously located offsite, which will improve the staff's ability to communicate and treat the approximately 3,000 patients the clinic sees each year. The new location is also more accessible for Veterans and emergency medical services, if required, noted Krista Hagert, Hines VA business manager.
According to Dr. Sandra Reynertson, a cardiologist and Associate Chief of Medicine at Hines, the clinic's increased size was greatly needed as medical improvements continue to increase Veterans' lifespans.
"When I started, we had maybe a few hundred patients; now we have several thousand," said Reynertson, who began working at the clinic in 1992. "Our volume of patients has probably tripled or quadrupled over the past 15 years. With newer medications and these devices, people are living longer lives. The new space allows us to see a lot more patients, and we keep adding patients all the time."
The clinic is the latest in a series of renovations as Hines continues to upgrade its facilities to meet the needs of the next generation of Veterans.
"As the medical world progresses, so too must our facility and services," said James Doelling, Hines VA Hospital Director. "The new pacemaker clinic ensures Hines continues to be recognized as among the best quality VA facilities in the country to serve our nation's veterans of today and tomorrow."
Hines' new pacemaker clinic is located at Building 200, Room B039. Patients referred to the clinic can schedule an appointment through their physicians or by calling (708) 202-8387, ext. 23236.
To learn more about Hines VA Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation services, visit www.hines.va.gov/services/Cardiac_Rehabilitation.asp.