BRMC Unveils Outpatient Suite

Robert W. Tahara, M.D., director of Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Peripheral Interventions Program and also Allegheny Vein & Vascular, speaks Wednesday to more than 140 people who were the Outpatient Services Center lobby. His presentation was part of an open house for Allegheny Vein & Vascular’s new outpatient suite on the third floor.
(Photo courtesy of BRMC)

By George Nianiatus, senior writer
Communications Department

The growing problem of vein and vascular disease can be treated far more quickly with less invasive procedures at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), which has just unveiled a state-of-the-art outpatient suite featuring spa-like comforts and conveniences.

The community got a first-hand look with tours of Allegheny Vein & Vascular’s new outpatient suite on the third floor of the Outpatient Services Center. The event included leg screenings and also a presentation on “Varicose Veins and Treatment” by Robert W. Tahara, M.D., director of BRMC’s Peripheral Interventions Program and also Allegheny Vein & Vascular which is the hospital’s newest Center of Excellence.

The advanced non-surgical vein procedures being performed at BRMC are likely to increase because of the enhanced efficiencies from the new outpatient suite, Dr. Tahara said.

This outpatient suite gives BRMC a facility that now matches the nationally recognized vein procedures already being delivered, hospital officials have stated.

“Generally, the advanced procedures we do are not available in rural areas such as this,” Dr. Tahara said.

“Vein disease can bring a host of potentially serious problems,” Dr. Tahara said, noting individuals should seek treatment from a vascular surgeon with a full range of endovascular skills.

“You want someone who can treat the entire spectrum of the disease,” he added.

Before, traditional vein disease therapy was extremely invasive and painful. It required large, open incisions and had a prolonged recovery time. Often, it takes time to treat and is frustrating for both the patient and the physician.

“But with improved procedures that are quicker, safer and less invasive, vein procedures have become far more commonplace,” Dr. Tahara said.

Over the last several years, Dr. Tahara has become the regional leader and is evolving a national reputation as an instructor in what’s called the VNUS Closure procedure.

The VNUS Closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment alternative with less pain and less bruising when compared to traditional vein stripping surgery and laser treatment.

With the VNUS Closure, Dr. Tahara said he can close the diseased veins by inserting a catheter through a 2-millimeter incision and heating the vein wall by using temperature-controlled energy. After the vein is sealed shut, the blood then naturally reroutes to healthy veins.

There are millions of patients that need this problem treated. “Venous reflux disease is two times more prevalent than coronary heart disease and five times more frequent than peripheral arterial disease,” said Dr. Tahara.

Venous reflux disease, also known as venous insufficiency, is a medical condition affecting the circulation of blood in the lower extremities. The tiny valves that normally force blood back up towards the heart no longer function, causing blood to pool up in the legs, and the veins of the legs become distended.

Venous reflux disease commonly produces varicose veins, the abnormally swollen and discolored superficial leg veins that affect millions of Americans. Varicose veins can range from small, thin purple lines just under the skin, known as spider veins, to thick, bulging veins that can protrude well beyond the skin surface. In any form, varicose veins serve as indicators of venous reflux, a progressive disease that can cause significant circulatory problems as it worsens, Dr. Tahara said.

Of the estimated 25 million people with symptomatic superficial venous reflux, only 1.7 million seek treatment annually while more than 23 million to untreated, Dr. Tahara said.

Venous reflux is a serious and progressive disease that can bring increased pain and reduced quality of life.

Of those with venous reflux: 20 million have varicose veins; between 2 million and 6 million have leg swelling or skin damage; and an estimated 500,000 have skin ulcers.

By gender, women are consistently more prone to venous reflux. Between the age of 20 and 29: females, 8 percent; and males, 1 percent. Between the age of 40 and 49: females, 41 percent; and males, 24 percent. Between the age of 60 and 69: females, 72 percent; and males, 43 percent.

“Risk factors include gender, age, heredity, pregnancy, standing occupations, obesity, prior injury or surgery; and sedentary lifestyles,” Dr. Tahara said.
Symptoms of possible vein and vascular disease include leg pain or aching, fatigue or heaviness, itching or swelling.

“If you have these symptoms, you need to have a comprehensive exam,” Dr. Tahara said.

Adjacent to Allegheny Vein & Vascular, the outpatient suite was developed as a one-of-a-kind site in the region to more effectively provide non-surgical vein and vascular treatments to patients in the most comfortable and convenient setting possible. The project cost is over $170,000 for construction and medical equipment.

With the opening of the outpatient suite that features three specially designed procedure rooms, patients will have a shorter wait time to schedule procedures.
Also, the total time a patient will be in the outpatient suite will be cut in half to 45 minutes from the time they walk in the door to when they leave after a procedure, Dr. Tahara said.

The outpatient suite also has been designed to have a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere with wooden features and several large windows to allow ambient light.

The suite consists of a waiting room, reception area, three spacious procedure rooms, four patient changing rooms, an equipment storage room, and a central charting and work area for staff.

The large exam rooms will provide Dr. Tahara, staff and patients with room to move freely during all procedures, BRMC officials said.

The amenities include comfortable finishes such as hardwood flooring, oak-finished chair rail and wainscot, solid-surface acrylic countertops and textured vinyl wall coverings are throughout the outpatient suite which has a color scheme of gentle earth tones.

The four spacious changing rooms offer ample room and a wooden closet in each which provides patients with robes bearing Allegheny Vein & Vascular’s logo.

Also, satellite radio is available for various listening options and the waiting room has a wall-mounted, flat-panel television.

“These carefully designed features are all meant to provide added spa-like comfort and convenience for our patients, and the very best procedure outcomes possible,” Dr. Tahara said.

This new outpatient suite is the first medical office space uniquely designed in the Outpatient Services Center since the 65,000-square-foot building opened in 2007.

The impetus behind the new outpatient suite was fueled from more vein procedures being performed locally and Dr. Tahara’s growing expertise. He was selected to the faculty for the national VNUS Total Vein Care Course, where he will instruct other physicians in the advanced vein care.

Additionally, his office has been chosen as a national on-site training center for the VNUS Closure procedure. BRMC is one of only 34 sites throughout the country to be an on-site training center for this procedure.

The surgeon also lectures and teaches extensively around the country.

Dr. Tahara has been averaging 50 to 75 VNUS closure procedures per month at BRMC. This is in the top 1 or 2 percent in the country for a single surgeon - no matter what the hospital size.

With the specially designed outpatient suite, Dr. Tahara said he expects to be performing even more VNUS Closure procedures each month for the region.
For more information about the outpatient suite or Allegheny Vein & Vascular, call Dr. Tahara’s office at 1-866-959-VEIN or 814-368-8490, or go online to www.brmc.com or www.alleghenyvein.com.