Good news for people in Southwest Washington with hearts: Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center expanded its cardiac care this April with a full-scale, 24/7 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) program. The procedure, often used to insert stents that keep arteries open, allows doctors to go through a patient’s skin instead of their chest. This far less invasive approach means quicker treatment for blocked arteries, faster recoveries and less stress.
Residents used to travel to Portland for a PCI procedure. Now they receive treatment locally, which means staying in their community with rapid access to critical heart care.
Getting the PCI program up and running wasn’t simple. First, Legacy needed to obtain a certificate of need from the state. Their 2016 application was unsuccessful, but a second effort received the green light and has enabled Legacy to grow the program into a 24/7 service that can start as early as the emergency care phase — even while patients are still in the ambulance.
Kayla Kiest-Lundeen, a registered nurse in Legacy’s cardiac services unit, praised the team’s collaborative approach. “When I shadowed here, I immediately felt at home,” Kiest-Lundeen said. “The teamwork is seamless, like a symphony where every part contributes to the melody. Everyone’s focus is on providing the best care for the patient with the utmost efficiency and dignity.”
According to Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Director Dr. Mayank Agrawal, the hospital expects to perform PCI procedures on around 500 patients annually, providing both emergency and elective treatments.
