Grand Opening for BRMC's New Outpatient Suite on September 16

By George Nianiatus, senior writer
Communications Department

Allegheny Vein & Vascular’s new outpatient suite at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), the first of its kind in the region, will be unveiled to the public during a grand opening which begins 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, on the third floor of the Outpatient Services Center.

Following one hour of tours at the 1,500-square-foot outpatient suite where guests will also be provided hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, a presentation on “Varicose Veins and Treatment” will be given in the main floor lobby at 7 p.m. by Robert W. Tahara, M.D., who heads Allegheny Vein & Vascular. BRMC named Allegheny Vein & Vascular its newest Center of Excellence last fall to enhance focus on the area’s growing need for vein, vascular and endovascular treatment. Dr. Tahara, who’s board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, is also director of BRMC’s Peripheral Interventions Program.

Because seating for Dr. Tahara’s presentation is limited, reservations are appreciated. Those interested in attending should call Dr. Tahara’s office at 1-866-959-VEIN.

Following Dr. Tahara’s talk, free vein screenings and facility tours will be available to guests starting at 7:30 p.m.

“The outpatient suite, which is adjacent to Allegheny Vein & Vascular, 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,” says Dr. Tahara. 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, Dr. Tahara says patients will have a shorter wait time to schedule procedures. “We’ll increase our through-put by 20 to 30 percent so we can treat patients more quickly,” he says.

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 says.

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

“Building this outpatient suite means we now have a facility that matches the state-of-the-art and nationally recognized service that’s already being delivered,” says BRMC’s President/CEO George E. Leonhardt.

“There are not many places out there specifically designed for this,” Dr. Tahara notes.

Among the many vascular and endovascular surgeries Dr. Tahara performs, he is the regional leader in what’s called the VNUS Closure procedure.

This is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, with little or no pain. VNUS Closure patients can walk away from the vein procedure and be back to everyday activities -- either at home or work -- typically within a day.

“This is being done for a population that clearly has a significant need for these vascular procedures, “ Mr. Leonhardt says.

The VNUS Closure procedure is “a convenient, least-invasive treatment to effectively handle those diseases,” Mr. Leonhardt says, adding, “I hope people will come see the outpatient suite during the grand opening to see what we’ve developed for their healthcare needs.”

The outpatient suite was a year in the planning stages before construction began a few months ago, Mr. Leonhardt says.

Now, “Patients can benefit from a more comfortable and time-efficient suite for these vascular procedures to be performed,” the hospital CEO adds.

“This new suite is a separate area that’s just across the hall from Dr. Tahara’s third-floor office in BRMC’s Outpatient Services Center. The new outpatient suite has been designed to be very private, confidential and also a consumer-driven facility,” notes Deborah Price, BRMC’s senior vice president of Patient Care Services. “We wanted to locate this newly built suite outside his usual office for total efficiency and comfort of patients undergoing vascular procedures.”

The outpatient suite consists of a waiting room, reception area, three spacious procedure rooms, four changing rooms with robes provided to patients, an equipment storage room, and a central charting and work area for staff.

“The large exam rooms will provide the physician, staff and patient with room to move freely during the procedure,” says Jeff Gabel, BRMC’s Plant Services director.

“This was designed by Dr.Tahara to increase through-put, with an eye on quality of care and patient privacy,” Mr. Gabel says.

“We also incorporated 42-inch doors in each procedure room as well as a private side door that can be used by bariatric patients, as well as staff. This also increases the privacy factor for those patients who may feel intimidated with a more traditional office visit,” notes Mr. Gabel.

The suite’s interior has comfortable hardwood flooring, and oak chair rail and wainscot on the walls. The entire color scheme is in earth tones, Mr. Gabel explains.

“We feel that this will provide a comfortable environment, giving patients an impression of quality and professionalism,” Mr. Gabel says.

For the past six years, Dr. Tahara has been bringing revolutionary procedures such as arterial stenting, endovascular aneurysm repair and most recently the VNUS Closure procedure to this region.

Dr. Tahara also has gained national recognition for performing the VNUS Closure procedure. He was selected to the faculty for the national VNUS Total Vein Care Course, where he will instruct other physicians in advanced vein care procedures. 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.

“We’re averaging approximately 50 to 75 VNUS Closure procedures per month. This is in the top 1 or 2 percent in the country for a single surgeon - no matter what the hospital size,” Dr. Tahara says.

“We’re really becoming a vascular treatment hub here,” Dr. Tahara says.

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 at www.brmc.com.