Senators Skelos And Fuschillo Announce $500,000 In State Funding For South Nassau Hospital’s New Lifesaving Cardiac Care Lab Expansion

State Senators Dean G. Skelos (9th Senate District) and Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) today announced $500,000 in state funding for South Nassau Communities Hospital to expand its cardiac catheterization program. Once completed, the new 32,000 square foot cardiology suite will feature 3 cardiac catheterization labs, an electrophysiology lab, and a minor procedure room. In addition, there will also be several examination rooms, preparatory/recovery rooms, and a family waiting area. This will give south shore residents advanced, high tech cardiac care right in their home communities.

"Heart disease is the leading health threat in this country," said Senator Skelos. "With a first-class cardiac care facility at South Nassau Communities Hospital, local residents will have access to state-of-the-art care closer to home. I’m very pleased that Senator Fuschillo and I were able to contribute to this tremendous new community asset."

"Ensuring access to quality healthcare services is vital to saving lives. One of the problems south shore residents faced in obtaining this type of cardiac care was that they often had to travel to the north or New York City to receive it. This new lab will make first class cardiac care much more accessible to our community," said Senator Fuschillo, a member of the Senate's Health Committee.

"South Nassau Communities Hospital greatly appreciates the efforts of Senators Skelos and Fuschillo in securing state funds for the expansion of our cardiac care lab. This will help us offer more extensive health care services to local residents and improve our already high level cardiac care operations," said Joseph A. Quagliata, President and CEO of South Nassau Communities Hospital.

The American Heart Association estimates that one in three adults has some form of heart disease. In Nassau County, 41% of all deaths are attributable to some form of heart disease.

South Nassau Communities Hospital, located in Oceanside, is a 441 bed not for profit hospital serving the residents of the south shore. The hospital is recognized for its outstanding cardiac care program. Coronary angioplasty, an interventional procedure that opens blocked arteries in the heart without the use of invasive surgery, has been available at South Nassau on an emergency basis since 2000. Research has shown that angioplasty significantly increases a heart attack patient’s chances of survival. Last year, South Nassau Communities Hospital was authorized by New York State Department of Health to perform angioplasty on an elective basis, one of only five community hospitals in the State, and the only one in Nassau County, to receive that designation.

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