An architectural rendering of a new medical facility to open next month in Medicine Hat. Southern Alberta Medical is located on Strachan Road where the Southside Events Centre used to be. The 15,000 sq. ft. facility will offer cutting-edge technology and specialist care for heart, stroke and diabetes patients, along with chronic disease management and preventative medicine.--SUBMITTED IMAGE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A new cutting-edge medical clinic will open in Medicine Hat next month, a medical group has confirmed.
The former Southside Events Centre on Strachan Road is in the process of complete renovation for the new facility.
A clinical and diagnostic centre, Southern Alberta Medical (SAM), will open its doors in June.
“Patients will no longer need to travel to multiple locations across Medicine Hat or as far afield as Calgary to see their specialist doctor,” says Dr. Daniel Anselm, a clinical cardiologist and president of SAM. “At our clinic, patients will be able to see their doctor and have their diagnostic testing done under one roof, something that hasn’t been possible until now in our community.”
SAM will offer specialist care for heart, stroke and diabetes patients, along with chronic disease management and preventative medicine.
The clinic aims to reduce emergency room wait times and hospital admissions for cardiac patients at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital through the introduction of the RACE Program (Rapid Access to Cardiac Evaluation), which will be located on site at SAM.
Someone with chest pain or shortness of breath will be seen within 72 hours at SAM rather than being admitted to hospital which has been the current practice, says Anselm.
When fully operational, the 15,000 sq. ft. facility will offer cutting-edge technology including: cardiac stress testing, cardiac nuclear SPECT imaging, echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, electrocardiography, Holter monitors, ambulatory blood pressure monitors, bone mineral density, pulmonary function testing, Level 3 sleep studies, CPAP therapy, home oxygen services, pain management, and Botox injections for neurological disorders.
There are plans for SAM to participate in international clinical trials for the long-term benefits of patients.
There will be a pharmacy and a full-service cardiopulmonary rehabilitation gym.
