As the aging baby boomer generation begins to seek medical care for their heart and vascular system, Murray-Calloway County Hospital announced plans to upgrade its surgical unit to accommodate and treat patients in a state-of-the-art catheterization lab.

The hybrid operating room will combine the sterilized nature of a surgical suite with the diagnostic heart equipment and imaging afforded a cath lab. The combination allows for greater flexibility in what MCCH will provide for its patients. The hybrid room will replace the current cath lab.

“We will be able to do our diagnostic heart caths and vascular surgeries but also anything you can do in a regular operating room,” said Jaime Lax, cath lab coordinator, in a news release. “It will have a ceiling-mounted C-arm and better, newer technology.”

The lab remains in the planning phase, which includes raising and securing the funds necessary to complete the room. Keith Travis, vice president of development, stated that an account has been created within the Murray-Calloway Endowment for Healthcare to help make the lab a reality as soon as possible.

Travis said there are numerous opportunities for giving, including naming opportunities, and he has already had the first donor step forward, an MCCH employee.

For more information about the lab or to inquire about donor opportunities, contact Travis at 270-762-1908 or 270-227-0253.